Studies show that inmates who achieve vocational certification training while in prison, or shortly after release, have around a 50 percent less chance of reoffending than their peers.

A multi-state program dedicated to making that training more accessible is putting down roots in Middle Tennessee.

Persevere, a non-profit headquartered in Utah, offers a one-year computer programming course for those affected by the justice system to become full-stack developers upon completion. This includes life skills classes, support, and even transitional housing. Those who graduate from Persevere have a 93 percent job placement rate and 85 percent job retention rate.

“I can best describe this program in two words – life changing,” says Persevere graduate Jason Doty. “It has given me the opportunity to achieve goals and dreams that I could have never done alone.”

Community classes began in July with the first Middle Tennessee cohort, with the next starting in September. All classes are currently virtual and to date, there are 30 local residents enrolled.

“We serve those who are justice involved, justice impacted, and others who have barriers to employment,” says Ross Herndon, Technology Employee Specialist with Persevere.

Ross is in the process of reaching out to form partnerships with Middle Tennessee businesses who are interested in interviewing and hiring the program's graduates. Electrolux and Tennessee College of Applied Technology, as well as Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce and the American Job Centers, have already agreed to form an alliance with Persevere, with other partnerships in discussion.

Even if a business doesn’t have job availability, there are still ways they can assist the program.

“We are actively looking for people to mentor students and assist with mock interviews,” Ross stresses. “We need employers to provide ongoing input to the curriculum as well as agreeing to interview our graduates for open positions.”

Persevere also partners with other nonprofits to assist in areas outside of job training and placement. Programs like Men of Valor and Project Return provide housing assistance for men and women throughout Tennessee. Health Connect America helps Persevere enrollees who need mental health or substance abuse services.

“Our goal is to train more than 1,700 Tennesseans and to secure high-quality jobs in the technology field for more than 1,200 of our graduates over a three-year period,” adds Ross.

For more information, to enroll in the program or become a business partner, visit their website or contact Ross Herndon at rherndon@perseverenow.org.