Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Gagnier
Hi robert, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In July of 2022 I took a job with a local non-profit organization which led to me being exposed to many individuals within both the City and County of LA. This put me in direct contact with a lady who worked for a major contractor with the VA who provided janitorial or custodial roles for those who were currently housed at the various transitional homes across the greater L.A. area, most of whom had recently been released from the Department of Corrections or CDCR.
Over the course of the last two years, I’ve been able to utilize my relationship with this VA contact and directly contributed to the hiring of some 54 individuals who came from the Re-Entry and Justice Impacted populations here in the local Los Angeles area, most of whom came from LA’s 2nd supervisorial district.
It has been a most rewarding process, helping individuals who are in some of the most desperate and difficult times in their respective lives. Steel Rose Agency is now my own small non-profit which aims to provide a pipeline of Re-Entry and Justice Impacted pre-vetted Indvidual’s who are ready to work now for employers who are willing to take a chance on them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, on two fronts.
Some employers who initially agreed to take a chance on these individuals did not make good on their initial promise, while some of the Re-Entry individuals did not pan out once given their opportunity. So, there remains challenges, especially on the candidate side since many have experienced trauma and are in need of mental health counseling.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Steel Rose Agency is a small nonprofit organization that is recognized by the state of California and is awaiting 501c3 status.
The organization provides a pipeline of pre-vetted individuals who were recently released from both state and federal institutions who are in need of a job. Steel Rose is a go to source for employers and organizations who are willing to hire one, two, or twenty individuals who come from this particular population, thus giving them a second chance at life.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As of now, no.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://steelrose.agency/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reentry_steel_rose_agency/
Image Credits
Please credit all pics to the individuals depicted for each photo used.
