13 GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM them on. Tonja makes her point: “They pay their debt to society.” They serve their sentence, but then they are released and they can’t rent because landlords don’t want to rent to felons. They don’t have recent work history and they have to go through their supervisor with any potential new job. Employers don’t want that hassle or the often misunderstood and falsely perceived risk. She understands the struggle they go through and as a problem solver, Tonja also sees a practical solution. Many of her work release and ex-offender staff have developed into integral parts of her business model. Andre, a former work release staffer will soon be heading a new department of special services. Don’t have time to take Rover to the vet? Andre is on it. Maria, another former work release staffer, has shown so much skill and potential, she will soon be training in professional grooming to expand Downtown Doggie Center’s in-house services. Tonja’s business model has the beautiful byproduct of enriching society, and other businesses can do this as well. In order to Andre, a former work release staffer and soon to be head of Special Services, with his rescued puppy Cujo take on work release staff, businesses just have to have workers’ compensation and a position for which the applicant is qualified. Kennel assistants don’t need any prior training and the knowledge growth opportunities are huge, so the work release program fits perfectly with the Downtown Doggie Center! St. Petersburg has a lot to learn from the big hearts and bright minds at the Downtown Doggie Center. With what so many might perceive as a disadvantage, people like Tonja are quick to find community value and creative solutions. For more information about the Downtown Doggie Center, visit downtowndoggiecenter.com. For more information about the Pinellas Ex-Offender Re- Entry Coalition, visit www.exoffender.org.
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