Damon Jackson
WorkWell’s versatile, indispensable presence
Damon Jackson is the personal face of WorkWell. He performs a wide variety of tasks, some
high profile, others invisible, all indispensable to the mission of reentry job training. First and
foremost, Damon interacts closely with trainees through every stage of their journey, recruiting
them, welcoming them into the program, providing them with meals, and celebrating their
graduation days.
One of Damon’s most pivotal roles is visiting prisons to prospect for future trainees. This is
made possible through a grant from NJLEAD (Locally Empowered, Accountable, and
Determined), a state program aimed at enhancing support systems for returning citizens.
Damon’s physical presence cuts through the prison bureaucracy. Such direct interaction is
critical: it brings more trainees to WorkWell, thereby raising the number of returning citizens
who secure gainful employment.
Friendly and open, Damon loves helping people. WorkWell participants enjoy being around
him. He serves them healthy meals, provides security on the premises, and acts as a mentor. “I
tell them my truth,” he explains. “I admit that I made mistakes in my life but despite all that I
managed to move on.” Such candor goes a long way toward earning the trust of returning
citizens who fear the judgment of society.
Damon has a busy life beyond the walls of WorkWell, as a husband, father, and writer who is at
work on his first novel. Before joining the nonprofit world, Damon was a licensed lead
inspector in New York City. This, and his work as a recruiter in prisons, has given him a keen
understanding of bureaucracies—how impersonal they can be, and how slow to change. “That’s
what I like about WorkWell,” he emphasizes. “We have a close-knit, flexible team. The
organization is not afraid to pivot when needed.”
With his dedication and approachability, Damon is a true bedrock of WorkWell—one of those
people who makes his coworkers wonder, What would we do without him?
