May 19, 2022
Opportunity Industrialization Center of Wilson offers job training/placement, among other services
OurJourney Executive Director Brian Scott traveled today to Wilson, NC to meet with Program Coordinator Marvin Dew and Program Manager Lee Lyles at the headquarters of Opportunity Industrialization Center (OIC) Wilson, a spacious office and training facility in the heart of town.
OIC Wilson, Inc. is part of a broad network of OICs around the world, including in places as far away as Ghana and as close as Rocky Mount. OIC is a non-profit organization, first formed in the 1970s, that seeks to "improve the quality of life of low-income, disadvantaged individuals," including the formerly incarcerated, by offering job training and placement and many other services.
OIC Wilson serves four other counties besides Wilson: Wayne, Lenoir, Greene and Pitt. Many formerly incarcerated people have turned to OIC Wilson over the years for everything from getting their fork lift operator's certification to STI testing, from financial counsel to transportation to and from work.
"We give a hand up, not a hand out," Dew said, "helping people help themselves."
Dew and Lyles certainly understand the importance of their work: they both served prison time and now get up everyday to give back, helping others find success and independence.
"Just a great group of people," said Scott. "OurJourney is glad to join hands with groups like OIC Wilson as together we seek to make our communities stronger and safer."
Pictured above from left to right: Career Advisor Mr. Forsythe, Career Advisor Mrs. Cutler, Program Coordinator Mr. Dew, Employment Specialist Mrs. Simmons and Program Manager Mr. Lyles.
