Hudson Link Employment Pathways Strategy: Request for Proposals (RFP)
Hudson Link is seeking a consultant to help design a smart, cost-effective strategy to increase the number of Hudson Link college graduates who obtain and retain quality employment in professional sectors with strong growth potential. The goal is to maximize impact with a lean staff by leveraging existing workforce development services and forming strategic partnerships with colleague agencies.
Background
Founded in 1998, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison facilitates college degree programs for more than 650 incarcerated students across five correctional facilities in New York State.
Over the past decade, Hudson Link has expanded its reentry support for alumni. Key programs include Finish Line, which helps returning students complete their degrees in the community, and New Beginnings Transitional Housing for those needing stable housing during their transition.
Our alumni have achieved meaningful employment in criminal justice reform, social services, and related fields—areas where lived experience is often valued. We now seek to broaden employment pathways to match the full range of alumni talents and interests and better align with emerging job markets in New York City and State.
We define a “good job” as one that offers:
- A stable, living wage
- Benefits (health, leave, retirement)
- Opportunities for advancement
- A safe and respectful workplace
Ideally, these roles also foster purpose, voice, and a sustainable work/life balance.
Hudson Link does not intend to become a direct employment service provider. We recognize the expertise of peer organizations and aim to connect our alumni to the best possible employment resources by forming strong partnerships and integrating external services into a cohesive support model.
Potential Components of an Employment Strategy
We envision a support system that may include:
- Orientation for staff and students on current labor trends in NYC/NYS and high-demand skillsets
- Individualized assessments of student interests, qualifications, and market alignment
- Digital literacy and tech readiness training
- Job search tools: resumes, interview prep, addressing conviction history, record-cleaning support
- “Soft skills” for employment success: professional communication, workplace problem-solving, confidence-building, adaptability
- Job referrals through trusted partners
- Post-placement support for alumni navigating workplace challenges
Project Purpose
Hudson Link seeks a consultant to design an employment strategy that:
- Identifies priority sectors and roles aligned with alumni strengths and labor market opportunities
- Incorporates community-based services already operating in the reentry and workforce ecosystems
- Outlines a feasible model for coordination by a small internal staff
The resulting plan should position Hudson Link to seek funding for this function, building on what already exists rather than duplicating services.
Scope of Work
The consultant will:
- Conduct a labor market scan to identify at least six promising career pathways for justice-involved individuals with college degrees
- Engage Hudson Link alumni and students through interviews, focus groups, or surveys to assess career interests, barriers, and support needs
- Map relevant service providers and tools, assessing their potential fit and availability for HL students and alumni
- Design a coordinated employment support model using select external resources, and define staffing needs, responsibilities, and qualifications for HL’s internal team
Hudson Link will provide:
- A detailed alumni profile (including education, age, specialization)
- Access to alumni and students for interviews or surveys, in collaboration with the consultant
Timeline and Budget
- Project duration: approximately 3–4 months
- Budget: $15,000 (fee-for-service), payable in installments as negotiated
Proposal Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
- A brief letter of interest describing your approach
- A proposed task list and timeline
- Your qualifications and experience related to reentry, employment services, or workforce development in NYC/NYS
- Two references
Proposals should be based on the $15,000 budget. However, you may describe:
- Additional services that could be offered with more funding
- Any elements of the scope that are not feasible within the current budget and timeline
Submit proposals to:
Sara Alpert
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison
salpert@hudsonlink.org
Deadline: June 22nd, 2025 at 11:59 PM
