The Newington Rotary Club learned about criminal offenders re-entering the workplace at their meeting Wednesday; a topic pertinent to their own careers, as most Rotary members are business owners in town.

Their featured speaker was David Eppner, employment specialist with Community Partners in Action, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing a new start for those who have been “affected by the criminal justice system.”

CPIA currently has 500 clients who before entering their programs were unemployed, residents of Connecticut’s poorest cities, and living below the national poverty level.

“The whole idea is to help them become productive members of our community,” Eppner explained. “We don’t necessarily help them find jobs,” he continued, “but our goal is helping them keep jobs.” Going into effect this February is STEP UP, a state initiative providing funding to small businesses who hire residents of high-poverty municipalities. This speaks directly to CPIA’s mission to prevent recidivism, or repeat criminal offenders. Eppner filled in the Rotarians on how to get involved and offered examples of other businesses who participate- area restaurants, retail stores, even some offices. Employers range from Hartford Hospital to the New York Sports Club in West Hartford, a gym.

“The whole idea is to take away the risk for you, the small business owner,” Eppner said.

Questions were raised about the nature of the clients’ crimes, which are usually drug offenses and larceny; CPIA does not work with violent offenders. Referrals for the three week, nine session program come from family and superior courts as well as probation officers. According to Eppner, many clients have hit rock bottom and want to take the necessary steps to change their lives. The divisions of CPIA offer readiness training, which teaches money management, interviewing skills, career goals, communication and finally, facilitates job placement.

Eppner also informed Rotarians of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, which gives businesses who hire criminal offenders a tax credit up to $2,400. There is also a Federal Bonding program that insures employers up to $25,000 in case of negative occurrences as a result of a hire.

“It costs on average $34,000 a year to incarcerate someone at a medium-to-minimum security level,” Eppner said, adding, “I’d rather spend that money on social services, health care, roads, etc. by having that person paying taxes rather then using them.”

To learn more about Community Partners in Action and how to become involved, call 860-566-2030 or visit cpa-ct.org.

The Newington Rotary Club encourages new membership; guests are invited to their meetings, every Wednesday from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf St. Newington. Next Wednesday, Feb. 1, the guest speaker will be Joe Furey, Director of the New England Weather Service.