Joseph Project

The Joseph Project Timeline

In the many years of traveling around Wisconsin, I have yet to visit a manufacturing company that can find enough people to meet their hiring needs, but you look at neighborhoods in Milwaukee and still see high rates of unemployment. That's why we started The Joseph Project. We saw a need for making the connection between people who are genuinely seeking opportunity and the opportunities that exist around the state. This project is designed for those who want to turn their lives around and experience the dignity of being able to provide for themselves and their families. Participants who have completed the program are earning good wages that allow them to buy cars, stay current paying household bills, and deposit savings in the bank.

--- Senator Ron Johnson

Highlights:

The Joseph Project is inspired by Robert L. Woodson Sr.’s book, “The Triumphs of Joseph: How Todays Community Healers Are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods,” about successful community-based initiatives.
Sen. Johnson and Pastor Jerome Smith Sr. of Greater Praise Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee co-found the Joseph Project in September 2015.
Sen. Johnson’s staff partners with Pastor Smith and other church pastors to host week-long class sessions teaching job-seekers the “essential employability skills” that help participants excel in job interviews and begin their steps up the career ladder.
Participants who complete the program are guaranteed a job interview with employers who are hiring for entry-level full-time jobs earning good wages that allow them to secure stable housing, buy cars, stay current paying household bills, and begin saving.
"Pastor Jerome Smith has been called home by his Heavenly Father.” In April 2021, Sen. Johnson continues the Joseph Project, honoring the late Pastor Smith’s vision to transform lives, one person at a time.

2011-2014

Traveling around Wisconsin, Sen Johnson sees a need for making the connection between people who are genuinely seeking opportunity and the opportunities that exist around the state.

2015

Sen. Johnson and his staff work collaboratively with Pastor Jerome Smith of Greater Praise Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee to start the Joseph Project.

2016

The Fifth Joseph Project class is held in Milwaukee in February

Staff host week-long class sessions teaching job-seekers the “soft skills” that help participants in job interviews and in their beginning steps on the career ladder.

Joseph Project expands to Appleton, Sheboygan, and Madison. 100th Wisconsinite finds employment through Joseph Project

2017

Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce recognized the JP

“Thank you Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce for recognizing The Joseph Project. We’re helping connect people with jobs.” Sen. Johnson

TMJ4 discusses The Joseph Project's work preparing and working with folks in Milwaukee to apply for jobs in the surrounding areas:

JP expands to Wausau, WI

Classes are held on communication, conflict resolution, time management, personal finance and goal setting.

President Trump visits Wisconsin with a focus on jobs as part of his Executive Order on Apprenticeship and Workforce of Tomorrow Initiatives. The White House invites Pastor Smith to attend a roundtable at Waukesha County Technical College.

“We're here today to talk about the dignity of work and the greatness of the American worker -- and also loving the work you do. I just toured the classrooms and I must say they arent your normal lecture halls, but in a certain way, they’re far more beautiful. You learn incredible skills like welding, automotive repair, and machine tool operations. And I looked at the machines and I'll tell you, what they have is incredible. And the knowledge to operate them is very, very, very amazing.”

– President Trump

“I have witnessed formerly incarcerated individuals transform their lives when given work opportunities."

– Sen. Johnson

First House of Corrections (Milwaukee County) Class

2018

50th Joseph Project class held and 400th participant

Joseph Project expands to Chippewa Falls, WI with class 51

JP expands to Green Bay, WI

HUD Midwest Administrator Joseph Galvan visits The Joseph Project

Thank you @HUDMidwest Administrator Joseph Galvan for visiting the Joseph Project today. pic.twitter.com/DiPRyUFA06
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) May 7, 2018

Stand Together Foundation releases video on The Joseph Project (11/5/2018)

First Step Act is signed into law (12/21/2018)

On December 21, 2018, President Trump signed into law the First Step Act (FSA) of 2018 (P.L. 115- 391). The act was the culmination of a bi-partisan effort to improve criminal justice outcomes, as well as to reduce the size of the federal prison population while also creating mechanisms to maintain public safety.

The First Step Act recognizes that helping federal inmates prepare for a successful life outside of prison can reduce recidivism and crime. Through the Joseph Project, I have witnessed formerly incarcerated individuals transform their lives when given work opportunities.
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) December 19, 2018

Read the Press Release

2019

68th Joseph Project class in Wausau:

Working in partnership with The Cross of Wausau, staff for Sen. Johnson lead Joseph Project participants through four days of classes focusing on essential skills necessary for being successful on the job.

Director Tischner from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia (CSOSA) visits the Joseph Project in Milwaukee in May 2019.

Tischner was impressed and encouraged by the Joseph Project’s innovative approach to connecting disadvantaged individuals to meaningful and well-paying jobs and decided to take action to do the same by creating CSOSA’S Credible Messenger Fellowship Program.

Read the Article

77th and 78th JP class held in Milwaukee and Wausau

Congratulations to all these September 2019 graduates!

2019 – A Year in Review:

19 Joseph Project classes held, 155 projected graduates, and 105 participants placed in new jobs. and a yearly retention rate of 61%.

2020

Senator Johnson hosted Special Advisor to the President Jared Kushner and Deputy Assistant to the President Ja'Ron Smith in Milwaukee for a roundtable featuring Joseph Project participants.

The Alliance was proud to attend a special program of the Joseph Project, which included a roundtable discussion led by Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Donald Trump, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, Pastor Jerome Smith, and Ja’Ron Smith, deputy assistant to President Trump. pic.twitter.com/6kN2FZQrgq
— Waukesha Co. Biz (@WCBizAlliance) January 15, 2020

A packed house learned more about the Joseph Project and got to meet those folks working to turn their lives around thanks to criminal justice reforms like the First Step Act.

Yesterday in Milwaukee….
So proud of Jared’s work on Criminal Justice Reform and Second Chance hiring!
https://t.co/EsCvw1V2Fw
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 15, 2020

"All of your stories are amazing. Thank you for pushing. Thank you for fighting." – Jared Kusher

First Step Act Participants Join Joseph Project

84th JP Class Graduates in Milwaukee

89th JP class is held in Wausau, WI

2021

100th Joseph Project Class

Graduate from the 100th Joseph Project class in Sheboygan County.

Senator Johnson joins panel speaking to participants of JP's 14th Wausau class

It's always inspiring to visit a Joseph Project class and talk to successful alumni who share their "secrets" to success. Turns out that "secret" is to have a good attitude, commit yourself to success and get to work!

Congratulations to the 103rd Joseph Project class

Pastor Jerome Smith Sr. is called home by his Heavenly Father

“Pastor Smith was the spiritual leader and true force behind the Joseph Project. So many lives, including mine, were enriched by knowing and loving such a good person.” - Ron Johnson

Click here to find out more about the legacy Pastor Smith leaves behind.

2022

Senator Johnson visits Joseph Project graduates employed at Gordon Aluminum Industries in Schofield

Sen Johnson visits Gordon Aluminum Industries

One week to change YOUR life

JP Brochure with Senator Johnson and Pastor Yang

A Joseph Project brochure with Senator Johnson and Pastor Yauo Yang. The Joseph Project develops relationships with local employers to immediately find jobs for program graduates. Many graduates start work within a week of finishing the Joseph Project!

117th Joseph Project Class Graduates in Milwaukee

One of the many Joseph Project Success Stories

Janis with letter Letter from son to Janis

Janis graduated from one of the first Joseph Project classes to be held in Wausau. She now has a very successful career. Before she found work, she lost custody of her children and spent time in prison. She is now a busy working mother of five kids. Janis' son wrote the above inspiring letter to her.

Sen Johnson hosts Nikki Haley at Joseph Project Roundtable in Milwaukee

June 2022 JP roundtable held in Milwaukee

Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina and former U.S Ambassador to the United Nations, joined Sen Johnson to hear success stories from Joseph Project graduates. As of June, there have been 119 Joseph Project classes around the state of Wisconsin including Milwaukee, Wausau, Green Bay, Sheboygan, and Madison.