SE Works
Cindy Kohler serves as an Employment Specialist and Vocational Case Manager at SE Works since February 2012, specializing in supporting individuals with criminal backgrounds through workshops in jails and federal prisons, enhancing their self-sufficiency via “living wage” employment, and providing comprehensive job search and life skills training. Prior experience includes roles at Mt. Hood Community College from June 2005 to June 2011 as a Workforce Development Specialist/Job Developer and Marketing Specialist, where Cindy was instrumental in curriculum development, student coaching, and fostering relationships with local businesses and agencies. Cindy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Portland State University and an Associate Degree in Home Economics with a focus on Nutrition and Culinary Arts.
SE Works
Founded in 1997, SE Works is a registered 501(C-3) with a 20-year history of successfully engaging multi-barriered, low income, underserved populations, including at-risk youth involved in the justice system; unemployed adults; immigrants; people experiencing disabilities; and people returning from incarceration. We have a strong reputation in the community and among partner organizations for providing quality programs and creating an accessible environment that is responsive to our community’s needs. With a current annual budget of $3.75 million, 20 years of experience, 46 full time employees, 15 partner staff on site and 10-20 work experience employees, SE Works has a proven track record in delivering diverse programming. We have managed a broad range of federal and non-federal contracts that support the mission of our organization. In 2008, our work in the field of re-entry garnered a Champions of Compassion Award from the White House and we are held up as a national leader in successful outcomes. Through our accredited Alternative School we have assisted 600 disadvantaged youth to obtain their GED and transition to College, thus breaking the cycle of poverty. SE Works assisted more than 25,000 job seeker visits during the Great Recession through our WIA funded WorkSource Portland Metro-SE Center. We deliver programming within three Centers of Excellence: The WorkSource and Literacy Services Center, The Youth Center and the Reentry Employment Center.