Project ProPEL

About

ProPEL provides support to persons transitioning from correctional settings back to their communities through 1:1 coaching, support services, and (paid) career training and employment opportunities. Dedicated Career Coaches at EMERGE and partner American Indian OIC provide personalized guidance – from setting meaningful reentry goals to connecting participants to the education, training, jobs, and resources they need to succeed. Project ProPEL empowers participants to reenter the community with the confidence and supports needed to secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.

ProPEL provides many career training opportunities (many paid) in the following areas:

  • Forklift/Small Equipment
  • Commercial Drivers License
  • Construction
  • Culinary
  • Warehouse
  • IT/Technology Support
  • Customer Service
  • Manufacturing
  • GED/Adult Education

Eligibility

To enroll in ProPEL, participants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Within 1-9 months of their scheduled release date.
  • Returning to the 7 county metro area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington counties).
  • Currently incarcerated at a participating state or county correctional facility (see list) – OR – on Work Release or Educational Release within 1-9 months of SRD.
  • Interested in securing meaningful employment post-release.
For current/ interested ProPEL participants and/or their family members (Click here):

EMERGE ProPEL is currently providing services to incarcerated persons who are 1-9 months from their release date at the following facilities:

Any participant on MN DOC Work Release or Education Release residing in a Twin Cities area halfway house.

MCF-Togo

MCF-Willow River

MCF-Rush City

MCF-Stillwater

MCF-Moose Lake

MCF-Shakopee

Hennepin County Work House

Ramsey County Correctional Facility

If you or your loved one is residing in one of these facilities, have them speak (and/or send a kite) to their Transition Coordinator requesting to register for an upcoming ProPEL Info Session.

Questions?: Contact Larcell Mack, EMERGE (mackl@emerge-mn.org; 612-787-3769) or Angela Fabel, American Indian OIC (angelaf@takoda.org; 612-341-3358 x102) 

For MN-DOC/ county partners (Click here):first post-release meeting.

STEP 1: Participants attend a ProPEL Info Session (if unable to host Info Sessions at your site, please reach out to Larcell Mack to make other arrangements).

  • Post ProPEL’s general flyer in common areas and/or learning centers (and/or ask project staff to customize for your facility) if able
  • Coordinate with ProPEL staff to determine Info Session dates, times, and setup (virtual, in-person, etc.).
  • Keep track of IPs interested in attending a ProPEL Info Session. 
  • Have interested residents attend a ProPEL Info Session (in-person or virtual) – OR – complete a ProPEL intake packet to be contacted by project staff.

STEP 2: Scan and email completed intake paperwork to [soarproject.ui7ans@zapiermail.com].

  • If needed, intake paperwork can be mailed to Larcell Mack, 1179 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

STEP 3: Encourage and/or coordinate resident meetings with ProPEL staff pre-release. Ways to do this:

  • Facility staff (i.e. Transition Coordinator) liaises with Larcell Mack (mackl@emerge-mn.org; 612-787-3769) or Angela Fabel (angelaf@takoda.org; 612-341-3358 x102) to set up time for virtual meetings/ phone calls with resident.
  • Enrolled participants are welcome to call the above staff during business hours to request a 1:1 meeting, or ask Transition Coordinator to set up a meeting time.
  • Participants may receive a ‘welcome letter’ upon assignment to an agency (EMERGE or AIOIC) and Case Manager. This letter will provide additional program and contact info.

STEP 4: Released participants meet with project staff within 1 week of their release. 

  • At time of release, be sure that enrolled participant has ProPEL project contact information . All ProPEL participants are encouraged to arrange an in-person meeting with their Case Manager within 1 week of release.
  • Any training stipends owed to participant (if applicable) will be paid at their first post-release meeting.

If you or your resident(s) have questions, reach out to Larcell Mack, EMERGE (mackl@emerge-mn.org; 612-787-3769) or Angela Fabel, American Indian OIC (angelaf@takoda.org; 612-341-3358 x102).

Project ProPEL is 100% funded by a $2,975,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.