Jeffrey Abramowitz, JD
Professional Experience
JEVS Human Services, Executive Director of Justice Partnerships
Past Executive Director of Reentry Services (Philadelphia, PA)
December 1, 2021 to Present
August 27, 2018 to November 30, 2021
The Executive Director of Reentry Services (ED) is responsible for providing executive oversight and strategic direction for all JEVS reentry programs. The ED supports and champions the vision and implementation of the JEVS Reentry Initiatives other JEVS Reentry-related support programs, directs the overall management of the programs, guides best practices in program enhancements, and maintains fiscal oversight for individual programs.
At JEVS Human Services, we believe in giving people possibilities—opportunities to be self-sufficient and satisfied. Each year we touch nearly 30,000 lives, focusing on individuals with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges as well as those facing adverse socio-economic conditions including unemployment and underemployment. It’s JEVS mission to Make Hope Happen today while creating meaningful change for tomorrow. JEVS stakeholders work to shape and influence public policy to better serve the populations who need us most. Acting in collaboration with our advocacy partners, JEVS works to create sustainable solutions to the underlying issues facing the people we serve.
Minds that Move Us, Pathways to Prosperity (JEVS), Team Lead
Looking Forward Philadelphia (JEVS), Program Director
Business Development Team
Diversity and Inclusion Council
Looking Forward Community Engagement Partnership (CEP), Founder/President (Philadelphia, PA)
January 1, 2019 to Present
January 1, 2019 to Present
July 1, 2020 to Present
August 1, 2020 to Present
May 2018 to Present
Looking Forward CEP is a non-profit organization which provides career readiness, job preparedness and reentry support workshops for individuals with barriers to gainful employment. CEP works with adults facing the barriers of their past including those with a criminal history or addiction and helps them to find the career they desire, the support services needed, and a pathway to success. CEP offers corporate, agency and community training and support services for anyone working with citizens that face barriers to employment.
National Workforce Opportunity Network Consulting (NWON), Founder (Philadelphia, PA)
September 2017 to May 2018
NWON is a fully integrated workforce development and career placement agency which provides career readiness, job preparedness and career placement services. NWON works with adults facing the barriers of their past and challenges of finding their career pathway. NWON’s service model pairs years of experience in law, human resources, public workforce, literacy and job placement to aid job seekers with meaningful training, job readiness and placement.
JustLeadershipUSA 2018 Fellow
JustLeadershipUSA Alumni Board 2018
Looking Forward Television and Radio Show, Creator/Producer/Host
January 1, 2018 to September 29. 2018
November 2018 to Present
May 1, 2018 to Present
Philly Cam Radio, WPPM 106.5 FM. inner of 2019 Cammy Award - Connector Award.
Coalition on Adult Basic Education - Secretary, Board Member, and Past-Chair of the Literacy Behind and Beyond the walls Committee
Coalition on Adult Basic Education - Board Member and Chair of the State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship Program
Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) Reviewer, Resource Collection, U.S. Department of Education
National Association of State Directors of Education, Barbara Bush Foundation Criminal Justice Work Group
Integrated Education and Training in Correctional and Reentry Education, US Department of Education Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) - Subject Matter Expert/Contractor
CareerLink Reentry Workshop, Program Creator/Facilitator/Lecturer
October 2018 to January 2021
January 2021 to Present
December 2019 to Present
January 2020 to Present
September 2020 to Present
August 2016 to Present
Initiated and created the CareerLink Reentry Workshop at CareerLink Suburban Station. This comprehensive reentry boot camp for returning citizens provided insight, guidance and resources for returning citizens. Workshop continued at Temple University after separating from CareerLink. All returning citizens are given tools and support to navigate the reentry process and to return to fulfilling and successful career. An integral part of this program consists of staff training development in the area of reentry awareness, counseling support and resource availability.
Community Learning Center, Director of Student Services and Workforce Development (Philadelphia, PA)
January 2016 to October 31, 2017
Responsible for overseeing all workshops, overseeing the activities of all career coaches. Responsible for the preparation of monthly reports and organizational data analysis. Created and developed partnerships with employers and post-secondary education providers and actively placed students into the workforce market. Instrumental in creating a blended adult education and workforce development program and Upskilling Clinic in partnership with PA Careerlink Suburban Station.
Workforce Development Instructor, CareerLaunch/Career Kickoff Program and Upskilling Clinic
March 2016 to October 31, 2017
Adult education program coordinator, developer, author and teacher responsible for preparing and teaching a workforce development course in a blended learning environment, providing basic soft skills education and academic enhancement, all while preparing learners to return to gainful employment.
Teaching Experience
GED Math Instructor
October 2015 to December 2016
Adult education teacher responsible for preparing and maintaining lesson plans, lecturing, reviewing and assessing student learning profiles, utilizing the CLC instructional maps based on the College and Career Readiness Standards and PA State Standards, administer assessments, attend all professional staff and support meetings, mentored students, and maintained site management responsibilities.
Temple University
Co-facilitator of the New Opportunities Workshop teaching workforce readiness and employment skills including resume development, job search strategies, public speaking, and conflict resolution skills.
Instructor and Facilitator, Temple University Reentry Boot Camp
Instructor, Pan African Studies Community Education Program
Instructor, Orange is the New Black: Reentry Training Course
March 2016 to Present
January 2017 to Present
September 2016 to Present
September 2017 to Present
Mount Airy Learning Tree, Lecturer/Instructor (Philadelphia, PA)
January 2016 to Present
Lecturer and and Course Instructor, Orange is the New Black: A Firsthand Look Inside the American Criminal Justice System
Department of Justice, USP Camp Canaan, Instructor (Waymart, PA)
April 2012 to September 2015
Instructor of over forty-five Adult Continuing Education courses and institutional courses. Courses included: Business law 101 & 102; Business Administration; Business Planning; Business Start-Up; Political Science; Media Literacy; Critical Thinking; Writer’s Workshop; Public Speaking; Job Portfolio Class; GED Review; GED Essay Writing; GED Math Workshop; and ServSafe Food Safety Certification Class. Responsible for preparing full curriculum, pre-test and post-tests, lectures and handout materials.
DeVry University, Adjunct Professor (Philadelphia, PA)
October 2010 to December 2010
Adjunct professor of business law at the Keller Graduate School of Management. Responsible for teaching, lecturing and working with graduate and undergraduate students. Experienced in blended learning environment and a believer in creative teaching methodologies and the Socratic philosophy. Passion for working with students and colleagues while learning and growing personally and academically.
Legal Experience
Klevan & Abramowitz, P.C. – Attorney/Shareholder (Philadelphia, PA)
August 1988 to December 2008
Civil trial attorney with over twenty years of experience in all areas of civil and commercial litigation. Disciplined and well organized in work habits and ability to function smoothly and efficiently under pressure. Passionate and effective litigator, orator, negotiator, advocate and trial attorney.
Business Experience
Do Me A Flavor, Inc., Owner/Operator (Conshohocken, PA)
June 2009 to October 2010
Conceptualized, created, owned and operated this unique ice cream boutique and companion commercial bakery. Specialized in marrying great ice cream with delicious homemade bakery products. Oversaw all aspects of this business including payroll, inventory, personnel management, community relations, marketing and employee training. Constructed company website and online marketing program. Interfaced with customers, local businesses and the community with the primary goal of providing a great product and putting a smile on every customer’s face. ServSafe certified, currently pending instructor’s licensing renewal.
Panera Bread Company, Certified Baker/Trainer (Conshohocken, PA)
December 2010 to March 2012
Certified baker with experience in preparing and finishing all baked products as per company specifications. Trained employees in the baking and preparation process, assisted with all inventory controls and baking protocols, responsible for maintaining product quality, freshness and uniformity. Proud of every baked product produced.
Education
National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Virtual Academy, Ex-Offenders Job Development Series
Temple University, New Opportunities Workshop Graduate
Outstanding Achiever Award
Michigan State University, Detroit College of Law, Detroit, MI
Juris doctorate, Cum Laude; Law Review member, Moot Court Executive Director and Senior Staff Member, Recipient of the Eve August Moot Court
Scholarship; The Ralph Rose and Samuel Helper Award; American Jurisprudence Prize Book Award.
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science major; Recipient of the Ohio State Buckeye Award.
Central High School, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Arts, High School Diploma.
Civic/Professional Activities
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Pay It Forward Mentor
Coalition on Basic Adult Education (COABE)
Member of Board of Directors
Chairperson of Prison Literacy Committee (Literacy Behind and Beyond the Walls)
Member of Business Development Team
Pennsylvania Reentry Council, Chairman of Employment, Education & Housing Subcommittee
Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, Co-Chairperson Reentry Committee
Philadelphia Reentry Coalition
Member of Coalition
Co-chairperson Community Engagement Subcommittee
Participating Committee Member of the Employment Sub-committee and Education Sub-committee
NationSwell, Council Member
Barbara Bush Foundation, Prison Literacy Work Group
LINCS, US Department of Education Peer Reviewer
Correctional Education Association, Member
Community Forgiveness & Restoration (CFR), Board of Directors
The Petey Greene Program Pennsylvania Advisory Board
Temple University Pan African Studies Advisory Board
Montgomery County Reentry Coalition
Camden County Reentry Alliance
Mayor’s Commission on Literacy Member
The Philadelphia Adult Literacy Alliance Member
Peirce College Paralegal Studies & Criminal Justice Advisory Committee Member
2020 to Present
2018 to Present
2018 to Present
2020 to Present
2018 to Present
2018 to Present
2016 to Present
2018 to Present
2020 to Present
2020 to Present
2021 to Present
2017 to Present
2018 to Present
2018 to Present
2019 to Present
2019 to Present
2016 to Present
Awards/Honors/Recognition
Temple University New Opportunities Workshop Outstanding Achiever Award
56th Annual Correctional Education Association Conference, Keynote Address
Blueprint to Reentry, TED Talk, Franklin Institute, Presenter (Philadelphia, PA)
DisRupt HR, World Café Live, Presenter (Philadelphia, PA)
2018 Rising Leader of the Year Award, Philadelphia Reentry Coalition
SXSW EDU, From The Courtroom to the Boardroom, Speaker
SXSW EDU, Mentor Selection
Minds That Move Us, Pathways to Prosperity Team Coach, Award Recipient
Ignite Philly, Presenter, We Are More Than Just Numbers
Philly Cam, Cammy Award Winner, Looking Forward Reentry Radio Show
December 2015
June 2017
November 2017
May 2018
June 2018
March 2019
March 2020
August 2019
October 2019
October 2019