Covation Center

Explore how artists like Jessica navigate the integration of AI into their creative processes while maintaining originality. Discover personal stories and insights on balancing technology with human creativity.

This is really about her real life journey with AI, and the tension between creativity and AI.

The post Balancing technology and Creativity — An AI interview with Jessica Pietro appeared first on Covation Center.

In this episode, we discuss how AI is transforming creativity in fields like ceramics, photography, music, and woodworking. With real-life examples like Stephanie’s use of AI for craft designs and Steve’s insights on integrating AI in small creative businesses, we explore how artists balance tradition with innovation. Learn strategies for adopting AI tools while staying true to your artistic voice.

The post AI and Artistic Innovation appeared first on Covation Center.

Stephanie and Steve discuss how ChatGPT helps generate unique project ideas, refine artistic content, and conduct quick research. They also explore how AI simplifies marketing tasks like SEO, social media posts, and ad copy while maintaining authenticity and transparency. Tune in for practical advice on harnessing AI to both empower creativity and stay aligned with ethical standards.

The post Creative Insights and Marketing with ChatGPT appeared first on Covation Center.

Is AI a threat or a tool for creativity? Join us as we discuss the ethical implications and practical applications of AI in the arts, featuring real-world examples and insightful conversations.  Learn how AI is empowering artists and artisans to streamline their businesses and unlock new creative possibilities, all while maintaining authenticity.

The post AI for Creatives — It’s ACTUALLY an aide! appeared first on Covation Center.

Turning a life around can often start by first helping something else to grow.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working to do just this through a partnership with two correctional facilities in the state. The program seeks to pair willing inmates with a variety of arboriculture jobs. The experience gives them agricultural experience and the opportunity to go on to future employment at the end of their prison sentence.

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

Listen to the full podcast here:

The post From Bars to Business: Branching Out appeared first on Covation Center.

Are you a business owner interested in hiring justice involved individuals who are working to turn their lives around? You’re not alone, and there are a lot of resources to help you.

Many of these resources, including six-months of salary paid by the state, are underused, according to Theresa Kohler,  a business consultant with CareerLink.

For this week’s From Bars to Business podcast, Kohler and Dr. Steve Brady, executive director of the Covation Center, discuss the benefits available for businesses who are willing to take the leap and give justice involved individuals a second chance.

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

The post From Bars to Business: “Benefits Beyond Justice Involved” appeared first on Covation Center.

After completing a prison sentence, a set time of probation and/or parole, an offender’s debt to society is paid. However, as they move on with life, continue to apply for jobs, loans or child custody the criminal record remains.

For some fortunate individuals, receiving a pardon from the state governor could mean the difference between success and failure in future life endeavors.

A pardon means you have been forgiven by the government for the crime you committed, and leads to having your convictions erased from your record. After a pardon, you don’t have to “check the box” when filling out an application, nor do you have to tell anyone that you were ever convicted.

Tobey Exholm, Esq. founded the Pardon Project in 2018. Through the project he helps ex-offenders apply for a pardon and understand the process. Exholm spoke with Dr. Steve Brady, of the Covation Center, for episode 8 of the From Bars to Business podcast.

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

Find the full podcast here:

The post From Bars to Business: Second Chances appeared first on Covation Center.

At the GEO Reentry Group, helping individuals reenter the community is about more than just finding a job.

It’s a wholistic approach that starts with changing the mindset of the person trying to find a job and get out of the criminal justice system, according to Michael Boughton, program manager with Lycoming County’s GEO Group office.

Through GEO’s Reentry Service Center, which first came to Lycoming County in 2014, participants work through a number of phases that include group and individual sessions. In addition, there is resume help, job interview training and other treatment and accountability assistance.

In 2016, the Lycoming County Reentry Coalition was founded. Over the years, the coalition has worked to bring together a community of local programs, business, and government leaders to assist with keeping individuals from reentering the criminal justice system.

After a few years of inactivity, the coalition has been re-established with Boughton and GEO Reentry at it’s head.

“This key is getting people knowledgeable about who reentrants are,” Boughton said. They are people that live next door to you and they are looking to reestablish themselves because they made a mistake, he added.

“Businesses need to take a shot at hiring these people,” he said.

Find the full podcast with Boughton here:

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

The post From Bars to Business: “Community” appeared first on Covation Center.

Clear expectations. Honest communication. And the benefit of the doubt.

These are guarantees offered by most employers and when dealing with someone who has a criminal background, they should be no different. For Chad Ling, after spending years rotating in and out of prison, making the decision to turn his life around was not easy, but after years of hard work, the success he found was well worth it.

As a warehouse manager with the American Rescue Workers, Ling now works with others who are beginning their journey of reentering the community after a lifetime of criminality.

Ling encourages employers to be intentional and ask these new applicants why they have a criminal background, and be clear about their expectations for the job at hand. By spending some extra time in mentorship and building good work habits, your business may find it has some incredibly dedicated workers.

Check out Ling’s full story below:

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

The post From Bars to Business: Success Beyond Bars appeared first on Covation Center.

Sometimes you just need a fresh start.

Spending years within the criminal justice system, losing the support of friends and family and often becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, can make reentering the community seem impossible.

For Cleveland Way, director of the American Rescue Worker’s Men’s Shelter, creating the 9-month Fresh Start program was a much-needed way to offer individuals who have few resource a guided path forward.

The program takes a wholistic approach to reentry, working with participants to hold a steady job, save money for an apartment, and build a support system that will provide a foundation for years to come.

Check out the whole story below.

This podcast series is funded through a grant from the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania.

The post From Bars to Business: A Fresh Start appeared first on Covation Center.