History and Mission

Wildcat Service Corporation has integrated workforce and economic development objectives since 1972. Originally a spin-off of the Vera Institute of Justice, Wildcat was the first organization in the United States to design and implement a transitional work program for unemployed persons with criminal convictions. We have continued to work with ex-offenders throughout our history, and we have added programs to address the needs of many additional populations throughout the City. In 2008, Wildcat will touch almost 17,000 individuals through a mixture of twelve innovative youth and adult programs.

Our mission is to provide comprehensive creative workforce development services to undereducated, unemployed, underemployed, low income residents of New York City to assure their self-sufficiency.

Historical Highlights

1972

• Spun off by the Vera Institute. Our first program was a messenger service that provided income and work experience for ex-offenders.

First Decade

• Ford Foundation funds supported work programming.
• Manpower Research and Development Corporation launches national evaluation of supported work.
• The Wildcat Training Institute opens its door.

Second Decade

• Wildcat becomes an IBM Learning Center.
• Founded the John V. Lindsay Wildcat Academy (spun off in 2007).
• First Summer Youth Employment Program is launched.

Third Decade

• Incubated a private industry partnership venture with numerous Wall Street firms to provide entry level, career ladder positions to public assistance recipients.
• Initiated first welfare-to-work program as a part of welfare reform.
• A Wildcat customer introduces President Clinton at a White House press conference recognizing the anniversary of welfare reform.
• Implemented two Second Opportunity Schools in the Bronx.

Recent History

• Piloted a city One Stop center in Harlem.
• Assumed responsibility for the Bronx Workforce1 Career Center.
• Launched new programs targeted at the city’s working poor, including a civic justice initiative, an advancement and retention program and a new internship program for young adults.

Board of Directors

Officers
Peter G. Samuels, Chairman Proskauer Rose LLP Cheryl Cohen Effron, Vice Chair Michael L. Ryan, Secretary Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, LLP Hiwot Nega, Treasurer Solera Capital LLC Directors Neil Barsky Alson Capital Partners, LLC Mary Ellen Boyd Wildcat Service Corporation	Chiara Coletti Consultant W. Bowman Cutter Warburg, Pincus & Co, LLC Dawn Dover Kekst and Company Laya Khadjavi Morgan Stanley Jay L. Kriegel The Related Companies LP Marty Linsky Consultant	Michael E. Schlein Citi Janice K. Smith Overseas Shipholding Group,Inc. Richard J. Tofel ProPublica Anne C. Vladeck Vladeck, Waldman, Elias, and Engelhard,PC Carl Weisbrod Trinity Real Estate

Leadership Staff

Mary Ellen Boyd President Adam Barshak Chief Operating Officer Ben Rodriguez Chief Administrative Officer Directors Tim Cantrell Director of Strategic Operations Warren Marchany Director of Business Development Nadene McPherson-Lee Director of Learning To Work Director of Summer Youth Employment Program

Titilayo Odion Director of the Bronx Workforce1 Career Center Rick Pennington Director of Alternatives To Incarceration Director of Back to Work Director of Non-Custodial Parents Melvin Quiñones Director of Transitional Employment Vivian Rivera Director of Young Adult Internship Program Stephanie Small Director of Training FSET Coordinator