By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
April is Second Chances Month, a time for the nation to recognize the importance of helping returning citizens reintegrate into their communities. In Baltimore, the people who keep the National Center on Institute and Alternatives (NCIA) Vocational Training Center (VTC) up and running are changing lives one skill at a time.
“The program stays behind you. They call and check on you,” said Donald Flood III, a 2024 graduate of the NCIA’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program. “CDL has been a dream of mine since 2002. ”
Flood was previously enrolled in CDL training at NCIA but had to drop out to take care of his mom. The odds were stacked against him. But with determination and the continuous support of NCIA, Flood was able to persevere.
“My goal was to make sure I had my CDL before 2025,” said Flood, now a CDL driver for RTW Management, a transportation services company.
“It’s not just a job,” said Flood. “I can be a support for others.”
Flood, 45, said the program gave him the stability, peace of mind and joy he needed.
Holding his first paycheck, he knew he would be able to save and afford basic necessities.
“We meet individuals where they are,” said Walter Billips, executive director of NCIA VTC. “We’re background friendly. You don’t have to have a high school diploma. We’re a nonprofit organization. There’s a zero fee for participants.”
Billips further explained how the programs work at NCIA.
“When an individual comes in, that individual automatically has a case manager assigned to them,” said Billips. “That case manager’s responsibility is to help them navigate through any barriers that they may encounter. We address every possible barrier that an individual can have.”
Billips said they provide participants with a bus pass to ensure they can travel to and from school. They also assist with food supplements, clothing for interviews and mental health, homelessness and substance abuse services.
NCIA also has a workforce development team that works with participants to build soft skills such as financial literacy and communication.
Billips noted how important it is to “service the complete individual,” as NCIA does. Afterall, he is an example of how the previously incarcerated can better themselves and eventually lead and inspire others when given opportunities.
“I’m a returning citizen myself,” said Billips. “I joined NCIA in 2002. In 2010, I went back to school and got my master’s degree in human services.”
Billips emphasized that he sees his work at NCIA as more than a job.
“I am the people that we serve,” said Billips. “I don’t consider what I do a job because I love what I do.”
Billips explained that the people who work at NCIA have all walked in the shoes of returning citizens in one form or fashion, causing this environment of sensitivity to or can understand that plight.
“We don’t run our center from a hierarchical position, like I’m up here and you’re down there,” said Billips. “We are all in this together.”