Doe fund’s Ready, Willing & Able program transforms lives

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)— The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able program is significantly impacting the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals, offering them a path to success through valuable work experience and comprehensive support.

This innovative initiative is helping participants overcome barriers and achieve their dreams, as highlighted by recent developments and personal stories.

Willie Nundra, a 58-year-old participant in the Ready, Willing & Able program, is a living testament to the transformative power of the Doe Fund’s approach.

His journey from addiction and incarceration to hope and purpose through the program is a beacon of inspiration.

“Being an ex-addict and offender, there’s not too many opportunities,” Nundra shared. “Man, it’s great. They feed you, they give you a place to stay, and you get opportunities.”

Nundra now drives one of the program’s cargo vans, delivering equipment to the “Men in Blue” crews that clean 115 miles of New York City streets weekly.

His journey reflects not only personal redemption but also the broader mission of the Doe Fund, which is to provide meaningful employment to those in need.

Recently, the Doe Fund received a $100,000 grant from Senator Roxanne Persaud, significantly boosting its efforts.

This funding will be used to purchase new cargo vans, enhancing the program’s ability to provide work opportunities and deliver essential community services.

Irene Branche, Senior Vice President of the Doe Fund, emphasized the importance of this support.

“You know it’s really hard to find funding for capital like this.” She further explained that while the “Men in Blue” program provides visible community benefits through sanitation work, its primary purpose is to help trainees learn skills to secure long-term employment.

The Ready, Willing & Able program is more than just a job opportunity. It’s a comprehensive support system that provides paid transitional work experience, transitional housing, educational opportunities, and career training.

This holistic approach is designed to address the multiple challenges faced by individuals with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse, reassuring the audience of the program’s effectiveness.

As participants like Willie Nundra prepare to graduate from the program in July, they face the future with renewed hope and valuable skills. Nundra is currently pursuing his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and expressed gratitude for his newfound opportunities: “I’m just grateful for a job.”

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