NEON's Interim CEO Rev. Tommy Jackson Announces Layoff of 100+ Employees

Information provided by NEON

At a meeting on Wednesday of NEON staff, the anti-poverty agency’s newly appointed interim CEO and President Rev. Tommy Jackson announced the layoff of more than 100 employees.  

The layoffs were necessitated by the recent loss of several program contracts including, federal Head Start, Connecticut Department of Correction halfway houses and Connecticut Court Supported Services Court Support Services Division Alternatives in the Community.

Rev. Jackson expressed his regret about the loss of jobs saying, “This was not a desirable outcome, but without funding it was the only appropriate action to take at this difficult moment.  This decision was made to preserve employee rights and their economic dignity.” 

With the official layoff notice NEON employees who had been placed on furlough status, after paychecks during several pay periods were delayed or missed, most recently on November 1st, can now apply for unemployment benefits.

At the meeting held at NEON’s Stamford office Wednesday morning, Rev. Jackson stated that his number one priority is to make all employees whole, by working to collect the funds necessary to pay all wages owed to staff by December 1st. Jackson pledged that he would forego his own salary until all employees are paid.

Rev. Jackson declared that his overall goal is to restore the credibility and integrity of the agency, in a process he described as “not being painless.” In the coming week Jackson will initiate a thorough and serious review of NEON’s financial control systems, program services and employee functions – moving quickly to replace or improve flawed practices and procedures – ensuring that all funds allocated to NEON are properly spent with comprehensive and transparent documentation.

While discussions between NEON and Community Development Institute (CDI,) have made substantial progress in recent days, a date for the re-opening of Norwalk Head Start and child care  programs at Norwalk’s Nathaniel Ely School and Ben Franklin Center has not yet been identified.

CDI was appointed by the federal Administration for Children and Families to administer Norwalk Head Start while NEON’s management of the program is under suspension.