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Geographic Solutions Named Honoree in Fast Company’s 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:05:00 GMT

Geographic Solutions has been named a honoree of Fast Company’s 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards in the Enduring Impact: 15+ Years in Business category. The annual recognition honors bold and transformative efforts that tackle the world’s most pressing issues—from fresh sustainability initiatives and cutting-edge AI developments to ambitious pursuits of social equity that are helping mold the world.

This year’s award recognized Geographic Solutions’ work in developing and launching the Entry to Employment (E2E) Network in partnership with the California Prison Industry Authority and the California Employment Development Department. The E2E Network leverages Geographic Solutions’ Virtual OneStop Reentry Employment Opportunities system to provide justice-involved individuals with the necessary tools and resources to help them find employment before reentering society.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Fast Company for our impactful work on the E2E Network,” said Paul Toomey, the Founder and President of Geographic Solutions. “This award underscores our enduring commitment to using our software in transformative ways to help individuals find employment, minimize unemployment durations, reduce recidivism, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of workforce development agencies.”

This year’s awards, featured on fastcompany.com, showcase 50 winners across 12 categories and 50 additional winners across industries, for a total of 100 outstanding projects. A panel of Fast Company editors and reporters selected the winners from a pool of more than 1,500 entries and judged applications based on their impact, sustainability, design, creativity, scalability, and ability to improve society.

“The World Changing Ideas Awards have always been about showcasing the art of the possible,” says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “We’re proud to recognize the organizations and leaders that are making meaningful progress on the biggest issues of our time.”

Follow the link here for more information about the award and honorees.

Geographic Solutions Publishes Article in the IEP Journal

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:37:00 GMT

Check out our latest article in the IEP Journal about expanding employment opportunities for justice-impacted individuals! In the article, we explore how innovative solutions like the Entry to Employment (E2E) Network are helping to break the cycle of recidivism and create pathways to quality employment. The E2E provides justice-impacted individuals with essential job search tools and connects them with second-chance employers.

Follow the link here to read more!

Government Technology Showcases Geographic Solutions in Feature Story

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 18:39:00 GMT

We are happy to share that Geographic Solutions was featured in an article published by the prominent trade publication, Government Technology! The story highlights the successful launch of CALPIA’s Entry to Employment Network as well as the impact this system will have on helping reduce recidivism in California.

Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey was also quoted in the article, stating “Recidivism is very high if you don’t have a job…The clock is ticking when you leave prison.”

Paul continues, “The new job seeking tool is open to inmates who have about six months left on their sentences. Correction officers must sign off on the process. After an inmate is released, they gain full access to the network, with no oversight from prison officials.”

Click here to read the full article on Government Technology’s website. The story was also featured on Government Technology daily newsletter, GovTech Today.

CALPIA’s Entry to Employment Network Paves the Way to Employment for Incarcerated Individuals

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:12:00 GMT

For the first time, incarcerated individuals are able to connect with employers and secure job offers before leaving prison through the Entry to Employment (E2E) network. The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), in partnership with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), is offering the web-based employment network through contract provider Geographic Solutions.

“The Entry to Employment network is a game changer when it comes to successful reentry for incarcerated individuals,” said CALPIA’s General Manager Bill Davidson. “CALPIA wants individuals to have a career before they return to their communities and this first-of-its-kind network is definitely helping in the process.”

The E2E network opens the door for incarcerated individuals to access EDD’s second-chance employer list and job offerings through CalJOBS, in addition to other popular employment websites. The E2E Network also allows the private business sector to access a more qualified and trained workforce in a market that frequently struggles to find qualified employees.

“It all starts with a meaningful job!” emphasized Rusty Bechtold, CALPIA’s Assistant General Manager over Workforce Development. “Current and future employers use technology and web-based recruitment tools to hire new employees. Individuals who leave prison find it difficult to get a job with limited exposure to job search technology. The E2E Network provides that valuable guidance on how to get a job in the modern world and allows incarcerated individuals to take that experience with them.”

CALPIA’s Workforce Development Coordinators help incarcerated individuals at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) prisons with their résumé and pre-employment preparations. Once an individual is on the network, they can search for jobs that match their skills and qualifications. E2E displays positive employer matches and provides the functionality for incarcerated individuals to apply for available opportunities.

Douglas Woodall was the first applicant who was hired using the E2E network while incarcerated at California State Prison, Solano. Mr. Woodall was hired by a leading manufacturing company in mid-April and is extremely grateful.

“The E2E system helped me land a job,” said Woodall. “I was able to build a professional résumé and get an early start applying for jobs in prison which was beneficial in the job hunt.”

Individuals who have approximately 180 days left on their sentence and who are part of CALPIA’s job training programs can participate in the secure job-seeking network.

“EDD is excited to be part of this collaborative program to help those soon-to-be released adjust successfully to reentry with the help of a good job,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We are committed to improving California's economic growth while meeting the evolving needs of employers, workers, and job seekers.”

The E2E network started at California State Prison, Solano and has now expanded to Central California Women’s Facility, Valley State Prison, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, and Avenal State Prison. The goal is to have the E2E network available at every prison in California.

“We are honored to partner with CALPIA to help close the skills gap and increase job placement for those leaving prison,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “Our E2E software solution will provide incarcerated individuals with the necessary tools and resources needed to help them find employment and thrive outside of prison, from one integrated online platform.”

It is expected that 600-800 individuals will go through the E2E program per year.

“I am thrilled to see how the E2E network secures career opportunities for people about to leave prison,” added Davidson. “CALPIA is all about second chances and now we are seeing individuals in our programs find true success with employment before returning home.”

You can also read the complete press release here - which has been syndicated to Yahoo Finance, Benzinga, Seeking Alpha, and 364 additional publications.