to professions pathways for the formerly incarcerated The San Rafael office opened in 2019. “We go to where the need is,” says Marin Director Schenelle Andrews, explaining that CEO responds to requests for services, and determined that Marin County had a population that could benefit. “We are one of the few offices that can service multiple counties,” she says, and individuals returning to Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties can avail themselves of CEO Marin’s services. It served 180 individuals during the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30, and in previous years, as many as 200 people went through the program. CEO has two criteria for admission: the justice system has to be involved, and individuals must have been recently released from jail or prison. Parole and probation departments make referrals, and nonprofits such as Ritter Center, Homeward Bound of Marin and Center Point, Inc. refer individuals as well. “Also, word of mouth is really big,” says Andrews. “Without support, they risk returning to prison or jail,” explains Tiffany Elder, CEO’s regional communication manager. She reports that each year, 35,000 to 40,000 people are released from California prisons, and nearly half return within three years if they don’t have adequate support. “CEO is changing that trajectory one job at a time,” she says.
August 2025
NorthBaybiz 29
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