Finding a second chance with WTI

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI) gives people a second chance through roofing. 

In a recent Coffee Conversations, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Carlata Martin, Ian Cranmer and Nick Schwieterman to talk about the ELEVATE 2nd Chance Program. The program is a partnership between Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI), a division of Tremco, and the Departments of Correction to connect people previously incarcerated with training, re-entry support and career paths in the construction industries.  

Carlata, the program’s education and community outreach coordinator, shared a bit about how this project came to be. She shared, “If you're in the construction industry, you have seen the shortages happening, and it's really stemmed from the aging workforce. And so, Tremco WTI has begun working to close that gap a bit with programs like the ELEVATE 2nd Chance Program.”  

The program was founded by Maleah Evans in 2019 and has been a vital source of hope and growth for many participants ever since. Carlata explained, “Maleah got the chance to see how it works, what the needs are and what people are struggling with in this particular situation upon their release, thanks to Tamara Roy. And what she took away was how helping people in these situations not only aligns with her personal desire to help, but also with WTI and Tremco’s vision and mission on building this industry and closing that gap.” 

Today, the program has helped dozens of individuals find careers and a path forward. Two of those successful participants are Ian, the current WTI central region inspection foreman, and Nick, one of their CAD operator drafters. They shared their stories and the positive impact the ELEVATE 2nd Chance Program has had on their lives.  

Nick’s story 

Nick graduated college in 2007 and found himself falling into some bad situations. He explained, “I started drinking alcohol at a young age, probably about 13 or 14, and I really thought it was pretty harmless. Being from a rural, small farming community, it seemed pretty normal... Unfortunately, after I graduated college, being away from mom and dad and my support system, my drinking transitioned more into drugs.”  

Things came to a head for Nick in 2008 when he was involved in a fatal car accident that resulted in him spending time in prison. He shared, “I was sentenced to 24 years in prison. I'd never been in any real trouble before and processing everything was hard. But, as time went on, things did get better. I was able to get my security lowered so I could get involved in some of the programs available.”  

It was during that time he learned how to work in 3D modeling, through Ohio Pinot Industries’ CAD training program. And in 2020 his program leader introduced his team to two members from WTI. And that’s when Nick met Maleah. He recalled, “They came in and saw what we were doing...Fast forward to 2022, I was able to file for what they call a judicial release. When I got out, I immediately reached out to Maleah. She got me an interview, and I was hired on.” 

 Now, as Nick celebrates his three-year work anniversary, he cannot thank Maleah and the 2nd Chance program enough. He put it simply, “It's been game-changing, because I know so many guys walk out the door and one of their biggest concerns is obviously shelter or somewhere to live. But having a career, it's having a job, it's having some way to pay the bills, and I didn’t have to worry about that.”  

Ian’s story 

Ian’s experience, while different than Nick’s, also led him to Tremco WTI through the ELEVATE 2nd Chance Program. He recalled his challenges when he was young, sharing, “I grew up around a lot of drug use, a lot of criminal behavior. And anytime I was around, a part of me told me this wasn’t okay. But another part of me just wanted acceptance. And so, I fell into the same trap.” Eventually that path led him to being incarcerated. Nick shared a bit about that time in his life. He explained, “The addiction created such shame and regret inside of me over the fact I was unable to break the cycle and I ended up going to jail. I remember telling my arresting officer the moment that he set me in his car, ‘Thank God it's over.’” 

While incarcerated, Ian was able to find sobriety and get involved in a variety of outreach programs, like Puppies for Parole. Even with his involvement in outreach programs, Ian was facing some hard challenges as he approached his release. He recalled, “As I'm approaching my release, I'm working on all these changes, and I'm thinking in my mind, ‘Okay, I'm never going to find a job. There's a good chance I'll never have a retirement or insurance, all these things that people have in life.’ And I was accepting that because I knew I was the reason I was in that situation.” What Ian was not thinking was that Tremco WTI was going to come into the prison he was at, start a program for training and help him learn a trade; but that is what happened.  

When Ian landed in front of Maleah to interview for a job out of prison, he had one question: Why? This is what he remembered her saying: “She said, ‘We are firm believers that if we invest in someone who deserves a 2nd chance, then you, in turn, will invest in us that much more.’ And there was just something in her eyes, in her heart and in her voice, and I believed her. And they have followed through, supporting me in so many ways and I’m just really grateful to be here.” 

Listen to the full episode or Watch the recording to hear more about this inspiring program and its success stories.