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Second Chance is delighted to work strategically with several public and private entities in our quest to retrain the unemployed, reclaim our architectural heritage, and renew the environment.  Our Partners & Supporters page introduces you to many of these wonderful organizations, and you'll notice a few examples in this newsletter.   

One relationship we value highly is with the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED).  We've teamed up to accomplish our mutual goal of seeing those with barriers to employment find lasting work.  It's also great to set people up for vocational success early in their lives before additional resources are needed.  That's why we were eager again this year to be a host for MOED's YouthWorks summer job program.   

This learning experience can positively impact young lives well beyond the six week program.  Indeed, six months after most of the youth hung up their work boots, we pause here to celebrate one such example of lasting influence....   

"It felt like I belonged here from week one," said David Wiggins, 17, of his position at the nonprofit Second Chance. He started working there in June 2011 in a six-week summer job through Baltimore City's YouthWorks program operated by the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED), but he knew almost immediately that he wanted to stay with the organization long-term.

 

"I knew I wanted to work here," he said. "I like the atmosphere and the workers. Lifting is making me stronger. It's hard work but it's fun. We work as a team to get stuff done faster."

 

In an evaluation at the end of the YouthWorks program, David's supervisor described him as "consistent and enthusiastic with a positive attitude; [he is] ready and willing to complete assigned tasks, takes initiative, and is a team player." David's enthusiasm and hard work paid off, and he was hired by Second Chance as a full-time warehouse worker in October 2011. 

David says he hopes to one day be an entrepreneur and a homebuilder, and he feels that the experience he's getting at Second Chance will help him reach his goals."

Click here to read the full press release from MOED.  And remember why we share news like this: when the impact of Second Chance is being recognized, YOU are being recognized... because we can't do what we do without you! 

Thanks for your continued support....  

-Your Second Chance Team  

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In the News...

Second Chance training crews recently deconstructed buildings in the Philadelphia area for the well-known shoe company, Dansko.  Enjoy reading the local press it generated....   

Here are a couple shots to help you visualize the process.  Compare these to the "before" picture in the article above.  

Stop by our stores to see some of the goodies that were salvaged from these unique structures!  To read more press on Second Chance, visit our In the News page.

Special Thanks...

Second Chance would like to express our gratitude to Microsoft's Unlimited Potential program for their very generous donation of more than $15,000 worth of product!  This type of gift allows us to continue and expand our mission in often unseen yet critical ways.  Thanks for the boost, Microsoft! 

While we're at it, both Adobe and Hewlett Packard deserve a big hand, too. They also graciously provided product to help out our operations!