Taking the Job Home: Erin’s Journey to Stability and Confidence
Life After Prison: Power of a Second Chance Series
Written by Natalie Medley, marketing support coordinator at Televerde Foundation
When Erin logs into work each morning, her fox terrier curls up nearby, her son is homeschooling in the next room, and her garden sits just outside her window.
It’s quiet. It’s steady. It’s hers.
That kind of stability didn’t happen by accident.
Erin began her journey with Televerde while incarcerated, first at Rockville Correctional Facility and later at Madison Correctional Unit. What started as a job inside eventually became much bigger. It became a career she carried home with her.
Today, Erin works remotely in her role with Securus, an Aventiv company, one of Televerde’s valued employment partners. Recently, she was officially hired into her role, a milestone that represents not just employment, but growth, trust, and long-term opportunity.
Q&A with Erin Hoover
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you now?
I wake up, come into my workspace, and my dog settles in next to me. My son homeschools from home, so he’s right there if he needs me. My mom recently retired, so I get to be home with my family a lot. It’s just been great to actually enjoy life — and this job makes it even better because I can do it from home.
Q: How did Televerde prepare you for this role?
I started with Televerde in 2021. Within a month, I transferred facilities, and eventually I joined a pilot program. We were told that if it was successful, we could take the job home with us.
It was such a peer-support environment inside. Everyone helps you grow. By the time I came home, I already knew what I needed to do. I wasn’t overwhelmed. I had the skills, the support, and the confidence.
Going through PATHS helped a lot, especially emotionally. Coming home is a big adjustment, and I felt prepared. That preparation made all the difference.
Q: What did reentry support look like for you?
When I got home, Televerde Foundation sent me a package with towels and essentials, the kinds of things you don’t think about until you actually need them. But more than the items themselves, it was knowing that if I needed anything, someone was there.
It feels like family.
Q: You transitioned from working inside to working outside. How did that happen?
That pilot program became my bridge. There were 13 of us originally. If we were successful, we could take the role home. Over time, that group narrowed down, and now I’m one of the original team members still here.
Everything I learned inside became part of my toolbox. So, when I came home, I stepped right into the role remotely. And recently, I was officially hired directly by Securus. That was a huge moment for me.
Q: Was there a point when you stopped doubting yourself?
Yes. When I stepped fully into the role and realized, I’ve got this. I can do this from home. I have the skills. I can help people.
And yes, earning more money mattered too. But more than that, it was realizing I was a professional. Televerde really prepared me for that.
Q: What lessons from Televerde have stayed with you most?
“Courage to change.” That’s one of the core values, and it’s real.
Growth is uncomfortable. You can’t grow in the shade. Plants need sunlight. Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to grow — and you’re the only one who can make that happen.
Q: What would you say to women currently in the program?
Don’t give up. It can be hard and stressful. You’re in a confined space with a lot of people, and it’s not easy. But like anything in life, you’ve got to push through.
Sometimes you need a little nudge. Eventually, you’ll take that step on your own. Just keep showing up.
Q: What would you say to employers considering second-chance hiring?
Do it.
There are so many women who will work hard for you. We are an untapped workforce. Just because someone has made a mistake doesn’t mean they’re not capable, skilled, and committed.
We have families to support. We want to work. Hire us. Let’s go.
Women build real-world skills through Televerde’s training model and transition into meaningful careers with continued support from Televerde Foundation and strong employment partners. Erin’s recent direct hire with the Aventiv network reflects that progression in a very real way — moving from skill-building inside to stable employment outside.
This story is part of our ongoing Life After Prison: Power of a Second Chance series, highlighting women who are redefining what’s possible through fair chance employment.
Special thanks to our employment partner Aventiv for investing in talent and expanding opportunity through second-chance hiring.
Want to help create more pathways for women like Erin?
Learn more about how Televerde and Televerde Foundation prepare women for career success through training, reentry support, and pathways to long‑term employment.