Planning commissioner gives ex-felons tools to start a new life

VIC VALBUENA BARENG/VIEWNorth Las Vegas Planning Commissioner Jo Cato, left, talks with marketing student Marty Hopper, who plans to someday open landscaping and construction company, as they work in her office at 25 Peak Villa on Dec. 31, 2008. Cato is being honored by KLAS Channel 8 television with the Community Spirit Award for her work in her marketing class that helps former felons re-enter the work force. Advertisement

Businesses don't hire ex-felons.

"There are a select few that will, but they're in the minority," North Las Vegas marketing entrepreneur and planning commissioner Jo Cato said.

The challenge of finding work after being released from prison is so daunting, according to Cato, that some offenders revert to their old ways.

Cato started Reentry to Entrepreneurship, a mentoring program that helps offenders learn to use their skills in legitimate business settings and open their own businesses, almost two years ago.

The five-week course was developed after Cato witnessed a family member attempt to find work after being released from prison.

"Once you check that little box stating that you're a felon, the job prospects become fairly slim," Cato said.

After a lengthy and unsuccessful job search, that family member asked to attend Cato's business and marketing course geared toward local business owners.

Cato said it was then that a light bulb went off.

"These offenders feel very lost and not sure about how to make their own way," she said. "I wanted to offer them the knowledge that could make a difference in their lives."

The course teaches students to craft a business plan, read income statements, understand profit and loss analysis and develop marketing strategies.

Cato said the course is more than just a series of lessons taught from a book.

Product placement lectures have been given during previous sessions, with Sam's Club managers familiarizing students with the details of the process.

Classes meet semiweekly and are limited to 10 students per five-week session.

"We want to provide a one-on-one experience where people feel like they're getting the attention that they need to succeed," Cato said. "That can only be done when the class is small."

Cato said the February class will feature a new component where students have the opportunity to present finished business plans before local executives who will offer pointers and constructive criticism.

Potential students must have committed a low-level crime and been incarcerated for some amount of time to join the class.

"That's the only criteria," she said. "The only other stipulation is that the crime cannot be sex related. No sex offenders."

Former felon Marty Hopper, 41, who recently moved to Nevada from Washington state, enrolled in the class last year after hearing about it from a friend.

Hopper was incarcerated for 56 months, and after being released 18 months ago, decided that he wanted to open a landscaping and construction company.

According to Hopper, the modules focused on creating a business plan and finding help with public relations and funding sources.

"She (Cato) basically showed me how to go about starting my business and get grants to help me do it," he said. "It's all stuff I would have never known about on my own. So, I think it's a valuable resource for people like me."

Hopper said he would one day like to found an employment agency that only serves ex-felons.

"A lot of us who serve time, actually, when we do get locked up, are rehabilitated," he said. "When you've served time, it's really hard to find a job."

Hopper said he would recommend the classes to people who are looking for a fresh start.

"When the economy picks up, I think that it will be a really good tool to have," he said.

The next session will begin Feb. 10. The cost is $200.

For more information, visit www.periwinklemarketing.com or call 435-8989.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.