Second Chance

The Heart Behind Second Chance

These are the people working every day to help create pathways to hope, healing, stability, and self-sufficiency for justice-impacted San Diegans.

Pictured: Estela Nunez, JRT Facilitator; Mary Chambers-Walker, Housing Manager; Judy Lawton, Board Secretary; Bill Payne, President & CEO; Scott Taylor, JRT Program Manager; and Alex Macias, JRT Director of Operations.

The compassion, commitment, and belief in second chances within this organization is truly something special.

“Because of you, I’m standing here today — sober, healing, growing, and graduating.”

During her graduation speech for Class 293 at Second Chance, Bessie V. honored the people who never gave up on her — especially her sisters, Hazel and Charity.

Through addiction, incarceration, mental health struggles, and moments when she had given up on herself, they stayed. They forgave. They believed. They loved her through it all.

“You didn’t just stand by me… you became part of the reason I survived.”

“I am not who I was.
I am becoming who I’m meant to be.”

Those powerful words from Bessie V. stopped the room during the Class 293 graduation ceremony at Second Chance.

After walking through addiction, incarceration, mental health struggles, and some of the darkest moments of her life, Bessie stood in front of a room full of people and chose courage, honesty, and hope.

Her story is a reminder that healing is not linear, growth takes strength, and transformation is possible.

Not everyone gets a second chance. But everyone deserves one.

April is Second Chance Month.

A time to recognize that people are more than their past—and that with the right support, opportunity, and community, lives can change.

Every day, individuals are rewriting their stories and creating new paths forward.

✨ On the other side of hardship is possibility.

— San Diego instructor offers 'Second Chance' through job readiness program. Estela Nunez, drawing from her own struggles with poverty and homelessness, inspires at-risk youth and ex-offenders at Second Chance San Diego. In this Zevely Zone, CB8's America's 250: Red, White, and You campaign honors fellow Americans who make up the fabric of our nation.

San Diego instructor offers second chance through job readiness program CBS 8's America's 250: Red, White, and You campaign features Estela Nunez, who turned her past struggles into inspiration for those overcoming the odds.

Check out this segment featuring the heart & soul of our Job Readiness Training Program

San Diego instructor offers 'Second Chance' through job readiness program CBS 8's America's 250: Red, White, and You campaign features Estela Nunez, who turned her past struggles into inspiration for those overcoming the odds.

❤“I want my kids to be proud of me.”

🔔That’s what one graduate from Job Readiness Training (JRT) Class 291 said at graduation. He shared that he wished his mom and dad could have been there — because this was a big deal.

And then he said something even more powerful:

“I’m proud of myself.”

Just four weeks earlier, he was “on edge” during his intake interview — unsure and guarded.

But someone believed in him.

Through JRT, he gained structure, accountability, and confidence. He thanked the staff who accepted him, the instructor who guided him, and the classmates who supported one another along the way.

“I stayed focused and gave myself a chance,” he said.

Before sitting down, he left his peers with this:

👏“Make your next move your best move.”

Because of your heart, 2025 was a year of new beginnings at Second Chance:

♥️590 people newly enrolled in our programs

♥️More than 1,000 participants actively engaged at any given time

♥️322 individuals entered Job Readiness Training, building the skills and confidence to secure employment

♥️115 people joined SOAR, receiving critical reentry support during a pivotal transition

♥️60 young people joined the Youth Garden, growing leadership, responsibility, and a sense of belonging

Behind every number is a person — someone celebrating a new job, rebuilding trust with family, or discovering their own voice for the first time.

That kind of transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when people are met with consistent support, compassion, and belief.

That’s the heart behind Second Chance.

As we look ahead, we remain focused on strengthening what works — deepening youth leadership opportunities and extending employment support beyond graduation to help ensure long-term stability and career growth.

We simply want to say thank you.
You’re at the heart of all we do!