Struggling to Help in a Difficult Family Situation
February 23, 2016 11:05 PM Subscribe
My brother is in his late thirties, has no job, lives in rural Alabama, is on probation for a while after spending a year in prison, is a registered sex offender, and is a (hopefully) recovering addict. He is still living off my parents, who are at a loss to find a way for him to get a job. The state of Alabama has some incredibly strict limitations on what registered sex offenders can do, which makes dealing with the stigma even more difficult when trying to find employment. Help me come up with suggestions for a job for him.
My brother has been an addict since high school, and has never really held a long-term job. He has had stints as a window washer, tile layer, salesman at a used exercise equipment store and commercial carpet salesman (never for more than a year or so at any job). He was arrested for drug paraphernalia some time in the mid 2000s and sent to diversionary drug court where he was sent to rehab. He was never able to stay sober or clean and eventually (apparently during a drug-fueled episode) was caught in a sting operation by a police officer posing as an underage girl online. He was arrested and eventually sent to prison and had to register as a sex offender. Since he was released from prison last summer, he has been living in the Middle of Nowhere, Alabama to avoid some of the unpleasantness of the limitations and requirements placed on offenders in the state, which he can't leave because he's on probation. He has a college degree (that took ~8 years to complete, so his transcripts aren't great) in something business related from a good school but no real experience. He is drug tested by the state every month so I know he's at least clean long enough to not show up on their drug screens and he has been telling my parents that he's going to multiple AA meetings daily. I need creative ideas for jobs he could get that would fit within the limitation of his offender status, his felon status, his lack of job experience, and his attempts to stay clean and sober.
My brother has been an addict since high school, and has never really held a long-term job. He has had stints as a window washer, tile layer, salesman at a used exercise equipment store and commercial carpet salesman (never for more than a year or so at any job). He was arrested for drug paraphernalia some time in the mid 2000s and sent to diversionary drug court where he was sent to rehab. He was never able to stay sober or clean and eventually (apparently during a drug-fueled episode) was caught in a sting operation by a police officer posing as an underage girl online. He was arrested and eventually sent to prison and had to register as a sex offender. Since he was released from prison last summer, he has been living in the Middle of Nowhere, Alabama to avoid some of the unpleasantness of the limitations and requirements placed on offenders in the state, which he can't leave because he's on probation. He has a college degree (that took ~8 years to complete, so his transcripts aren't great) in something business related from a good school but no real experience. He is drug tested by the state every month so I know he's at least clean long enough to not show up on their drug screens and he has been telling my parents that he's going to multiple AA meetings daily. I need creative ideas for jobs he could get that would fit within the limitation of his offender status, his felon status, his lack of job experience, and his attempts to stay clean and sober.
It would be helpful if you can expand on what his limitations as a sex offender are. Clearly, he's not allowed to be around minors but in what capacity? It might help for people to be able to give answers.
posted by Jubey at 12:47 AM on February 24, 2016
posted by Jubey at 12:47 AM on February 24, 2016
Why not go back to laying tile? He might not be able to get a contractor's license or join a union or get a job with a big firm, but the construction business has tons of people with various work/legality issues (e.g., undocumented immigrants) who get work because they know how to build. He might have to move from the middle of nowhere toward somewhere with more construction activity.
posted by salvia at 2:39 AM on February 24, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by salvia at 2:39 AM on February 24, 2016 [8 favorites]
Why not go back to laying tile? He might not be able to get a contractor's license or join a union or get a job with a big firm, but the construction business has tons of people with various work/legality issues (e.g., undocumented immigrants) who get work because they know how to build. He might have to move from the middle of nowhere toward somewhere with more construction activity.
This. Construction and other labor (such as oilfield work, fishing crews, etc) are probably the most open to people with problematic histories. Drug testing is standard (because it is required by insurance, DOT, and other regulatory agencies) but background checks are rare and prison tattoos are common. It's hard work and almost everyone gets laid off for part of every year, but it beats being poor.
He would have to watch the sex offender requirements and choose accordingly -- could he do commercial tile work where you are never in a person's house, or would that put him too close to schools, for example? He might need to go with one of the more outdoors options instead, maybe, and he would probably need to be honest about it with the owner/supervisor so as not to create liability for the company or get himself arrested for a parole violation.
On the downside, it will almost certainly put him around people with active drug use, and if he is serious about staying clean that may be bad for his recovery.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:20 AM on February 24, 2016
This. Construction and other labor (such as oilfield work, fishing crews, etc) are probably the most open to people with problematic histories. Drug testing is standard (because it is required by insurance, DOT, and other regulatory agencies) but background checks are rare and prison tattoos are common. It's hard work and almost everyone gets laid off for part of every year, but it beats being poor.
He would have to watch the sex offender requirements and choose accordingly -- could he do commercial tile work where you are never in a person's house, or would that put him too close to schools, for example? He might need to go with one of the more outdoors options instead, maybe, and he would probably need to be honest about it with the owner/supervisor so as not to create liability for the company or get himself arrested for a parole violation.
On the downside, it will almost certainly put him around people with active drug use, and if he is serious about staying clean that may be bad for his recovery.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:20 AM on February 24, 2016
If there are drug rehab centers nearby, he could work as a tech and possibly move up to admissions/counseling eventually? I'm hoping this is what my drug addict, college-educated sister will do once she gets out of prison. Best of luck to him and you.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:02 AM on February 24, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 5:02 AM on February 24, 2016 [7 favorites]
Rehab centers, half-way houses or other treatment centers are possibilities because they may help him stay sober. My brother worked as an RA on the night shift at a half way house when he was re-entering the work force after addiction and criminal troubles. He was also a custodian at a treatment center. He's had success working on his own doing lawn care /snow plowing in winter, farm field work -he loves tractors & farms. He studied soil sciences at a community tech school and planned to work for fertilizer companies as a soil tester (as I understand, there's steady work here). That plan fizzled a bit because he got into a tree services company and is now hoping to become an arborist.
There was a thread about work from home gigs on here a few weeks back. Something like that could give him some cash and help fulfill work requirements he may have. I'll try to think of some more ideas.
posted by areaperson at 5:21 AM on February 24, 2016
There was a thread about work from home gigs on here a few weeks back. Something like that could give him some cash and help fulfill work requirements he may have. I'll try to think of some more ideas.
posted by areaperson at 5:21 AM on February 24, 2016
I don't see it in your question--apologies if I missed it--ask the probation department for referral to legal aid agencies that do re-entry work or churches that do re-entry work or any government program that does re-entry. Even people with convictions for some sex offenses can be helped by a decent re-entry program. Ask friends and relatives if anyone owns a business and is will to hire him to do late-night janitorial or from-home data entry which can help him build an employment record.
All the best wishes--this is an extremely difficult situation and you will run up against a lot of people who have no interest in helping, but there are groups dedicated to making sure someone released from prison is not forced to remain unemployed and a pariah.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:42 AM on February 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
All the best wishes--this is an extremely difficult situation and you will run up against a lot of people who have no interest in helping, but there are groups dedicated to making sure someone released from prison is not forced to remain unemployed and a pariah.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:42 AM on February 24, 2016 [2 favorites]
Your brother is a long-term addict who was given opportunities to kick and wasn't able to do it. Now he has been clean for how long? If it is six months, that's still well within the zone where going to multiple meetings a day is his full-time job. If it's 18 months, it might be time for him to sit down with his sponsor and his probation officer and seek some advice.
I understand how pressing the employment is and why that's front and center in this question, but the reality is the the employment needs to support the sobriety. Everything -- all forward motion -- follows from the sobriety.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:31 AM on February 24, 2016 [3 favorites]
I understand how pressing the employment is and why that's front and center in this question, but the reality is the the employment needs to support the sobriety. Everything -- all forward motion -- follows from the sobriety.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:31 AM on February 24, 2016 [3 favorites]
FWIW my sister worked for a while in vocational rehab, where she helped released prisoners get needed vocational training, find work, etc. Her go-to job where she could literally find anyone reasonably able-bodied and willing to work a job, was indeed construction. She had a list of companies interested in/willing to take on such workers and could find pretty much anybody a job within a day or so.
However, I would suggest hooking up your brother with a person/agency who is in the position my sister was. I believe the search term is "vocational rehabilitation". I believe this is federally funded to some degree and so exists in some form in every state. If your brother is accepted into the system, they can help with everything from training to finding positions. They will have much experience and extensive lists of positions/employers who meet various restrictions such as the ones your brother has.
posted by flug at 9:22 AM on February 24, 2016
However, I would suggest hooking up your brother with a person/agency who is in the position my sister was. I believe the search term is "vocational rehabilitation". I believe this is federally funded to some degree and so exists in some form in every state. If your brother is accepted into the system, they can help with everything from training to finding positions. They will have much experience and extensive lists of positions/employers who meet various restrictions such as the ones your brother has.
posted by flug at 9:22 AM on February 24, 2016
I do freelance writing online. I am not a sex offender or addict, but I am chronically ill and homeless, which comes with major obstacles to employment. I work for a different service than Upwork. I do not have an Upwork account, but I did have an Elance account and was not a fan.
My recent post to Projects on MeFi is a blog where I lay out how to best make that work and turn it into real money.
The service I work for allows me to work as much or little as I choose, when I choose. I don't think Upwork can really match it. It is ideal for someone with too damn many problems who needs a high degree of control over their work, something you tend to not have at entry level.
The other thing I am currently researching but not yet ready to blog about is panning for gold. About a half cup of gold weighs about as much as a two liter bottle of soda and can be readily sold online for 80% of spot price. At current prices, it would be about $60k in income.
You can look up videos online to educate yourself. The only essential tool is really a gold pan, which can be bought online for under $10. Additional tools are handy but not essential.
It is looking like a bit of research plus some physical labor undertaken completely under your own control plus a bit of luck can potentially lead to a decent income this way. If he can find half an ounce of gold per week, he can make $440 a week (at current prices, which fluctuate -- that figure is based on selling online for 80% of a spot price of $1100 an ounce). A half an ounce of gold appears to be about the size and shape of a US dime, or smaller. Gold is incredibly heavy. A tiny amount of it is worth real money.
A quick Google suggests it is possible to pan for gold in Alabama.
posted by Michele in California at 1:29 PM on February 24, 2016 [6 favorites]
My recent post to Projects on MeFi is a blog where I lay out how to best make that work and turn it into real money.
The service I work for allows me to work as much or little as I choose, when I choose. I don't think Upwork can really match it. It is ideal for someone with too damn many problems who needs a high degree of control over their work, something you tend to not have at entry level.
The other thing I am currently researching but not yet ready to blog about is panning for gold. About a half cup of gold weighs about as much as a two liter bottle of soda and can be readily sold online for 80% of spot price. At current prices, it would be about $60k in income.
You can look up videos online to educate yourself. The only essential tool is really a gold pan, which can be bought online for under $10. Additional tools are handy but not essential.
It is looking like a bit of research plus some physical labor undertaken completely under your own control plus a bit of luck can potentially lead to a decent income this way. If he can find half an ounce of gold per week, he can make $440 a week (at current prices, which fluctuate -- that figure is based on selling online for 80% of a spot price of $1100 an ounce). A half an ounce of gold appears to be about the size and shape of a US dime, or smaller. Gold is incredibly heavy. A tiny amount of it is worth real money.
A quick Google suggests it is possible to pan for gold in Alabama.
posted by Michele in California at 1:29 PM on February 24, 2016 [6 favorites]
You said he can lay tile -- is he handy in general remodeling-type work? He could contact people that specialize in house flipping to see if they would be willing to hire him for jobs. Flippers are more likely to care about their bottom line and be less concerned about his background as long as he does decent work.
posted by Ostara at 1:35 PM on February 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Ostara at 1:35 PM on February 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing he may not actually have internet access while on probation because of the nature of his conviction. Maybe stocking/receiving, data entry, commercial kitchen cleaning/dishwashing, mechanic's helper/assistant...? (i.e., ground-floor positions in the non-public-facing parts of businesses) Also, seconding crush-onastick about leveraging personal connections with business owners: any "get-well job" will help build experience and employment history. Best wishes for you and your parents and for his continued recovery.
posted by en forme de poire at 5:08 PM on February 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by en forme de poire at 5:08 PM on February 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
If Internet is off limits as a condition of probation but he is interested in trying his hand at panning for gold, you could try burning some good videos to disk plus researching how he can sell the gold. Where to sell the gold was a surprisingly hard question to answer.
He will need more than just educational videos on panning technique. He will also need some videos covering where and how to find gold, such as how to walk a river and identify potential panning sites with some hope of paydirt.
While I am here, let me clarify that four US quarters weigh approximately one ounce, but one ounce of gold seems to be smaller in size than a single US quarter. Last I looked (earlier this month), spot price was $1100/ounce.
I will add that I and my sons are researching gold panning because my oldest not only has a medical condition that makes most jobs a threat to his health and life, he has serious social challenges that make any job dealing with people very problematic. But he is talented at things that seem to make gold panning a good bet for him, and he likes working physically hard. For the first time in his life, I feel like there is hope he can support himself after I die. He has always been a very hard puzzle to solve.
Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 11:08 AM on February 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
He will need more than just educational videos on panning technique. He will also need some videos covering where and how to find gold, such as how to walk a river and identify potential panning sites with some hope of paydirt.
While I am here, let me clarify that four US quarters weigh approximately one ounce, but one ounce of gold seems to be smaller in size than a single US quarter. Last I looked (earlier this month), spot price was $1100/ounce.
I will add that I and my sons are researching gold panning because my oldest not only has a medical condition that makes most jobs a threat to his health and life, he has serious social challenges that make any job dealing with people very problematic. But he is talented at things that seem to make gold panning a good bet for him, and he likes working physically hard. For the first time in his life, I feel like there is hope he can support himself after I die. He has always been a very hard puzzle to solve.
Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 11:08 AM on February 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
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I'm assuming that yardwork or anything where he might come in proximity to minors is a no-go.
posted by My Dad at 11:22 PM on February 23, 2016