HETA

                           1629 K Street NW Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20006 202.470.5795 Tel. 202.331.3759 Fax



A-TEAM is a non-profit corporation that offers employment training and placement services to city residents most difficult to employ. We believe that everyone should have a chance to participate in today's booming economy. Specifically, the metropolitan area construction economy. The Skills Training and Employment Program (STEP) was developed to give people in low-income and under-represented communities that chance and opportunities for self-assessment, career exploration, and hands-on experience.

Our mission is to specifically provide support to ex-offenders and minorities in under-developed wards throughout the District of Columbia, by empowering them to collaborate, learn new skills and trades, and most importantly, improve and rebuild their own communities. Because learning new skills and trades often leads to better paying jobs or even business ownership, and better paying jobs or business ownership in under-developed wards can dramatically change lives and communities.

In reality, the transition from incarceration to community ideally begins during incarceration. However, when large segments of the ex-offender population are released without preparation and referrals, the community has a large number of “time bombs” who will, without intervention, eventually resort to the few options they believe exist for them to survive.

For instance, during the last five years, 40% of all ex-offenders have been unemployed or marginally employed prior to arrest and over 80% of probation and parole violators were unemployed at the time of violation. These statistics clearly demonstrate a direct correlation between employment and high recidivism rates.

As a result, it is our passion, purpose and plan to provide comprehensive and effective construction and transportation industry employment training to ex-offenders and minorities. And provide effective linkages to employers to successfully place STEP graduates into jobs. Simply because, without access to this level of training and assistance, ex-offenders and minorities are certain to continue to experience significant and multiple barriers to economic opportunity.


For more information about A-TEAM’s STEP program, or how you can help us help the community, please contact us by calling 202.470.5795 or at 240.643.6155.