Titan Named Employer of the Year by Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO)

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Mar 14, 2011, 11:35 ET

NEW YORK, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Titan has been awarded the Employer of the Year award by the not-for-profit organization Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO).

GOSO reaches out to young men between the ages of 18-24 on Rikers Island with a program to help them get out and stay out of the jails and prisons of New York City and State. The program emphasizes further education as their "key" to success. Anyone interested in joining GOSO, who does not have their High School Diploma or GED, must therefore register for school and attend GED classes at the East River Academy on Rikers Island, an alternative school run by the Department of Education.

Titan is the largest employer of GOSO graduates, many of whom work in the operations department in the company's New York City headquarters. Titan is confident in the program's ability and has seen its success first hand, as the Company continues to successfully retain GOSO graduates.

Before coming to Titan, GOSO graduates have been mentored, in school, by successful retired senior volunteers on a weekly basis. Once released they go to GOSO's office in East Harlem for counseling that continues the focus on education and job achievement that can lead to a career at companies such as Titan. In six years GOSO has reduced the recidivism rate at Rikers Island for young men from over 60 percent to less than 20 percent, much due to Titan's commitment to the program and the people it serves.

"Imagine making one mistake in your life and being judged by that one action for the rest of your life – even if you've served your time," said Founder Mark Goldsmith. "That attitude is what keeps the recidivism rate so high. GOSO's mission is to ensure that these young men have the skills to re-enter the workforce in a meaningful way and have the support system to maintain that job. Our partnership with Titan has proven to be invaluable in that effort."

"GOSO's work with inmates transitioning back into society has been remarkable. Mark and his team are able to sustain a recidivism rate drastically lower than those inmates coming out of prison with no support system, no GED and no opportunity," said Don Allman, President and CEO, Titan. "While we are big proponents of giving back to the communities we serve, we feel this goes above and beyond just writing a check. We are proud to be a part of an organization that is providing tangible benefits to our community."

About Titan

Titan is a full service media company specializing in Out-of-Home advertising. With more markets and more riders, Titan is the leader in Transit Advertising in the United States.

Titan provides sales, marketing, creative, research and maintenance of advertising on bus, rail, telephone kiosks and street banners. It also leads the way in the development and successful introduction of market leading digital Out-of-Home platforms. Titan furnishes national and local clients with creative media solutions in North America's top 25 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, New Jersey, Dallas, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh and Canada.