Leslie grew up in a home marked by instability and abuse. His father was physically abusive, and his mother was abusive emotionally and mentally making life at home very challenging. Leslie's parents would leave for months at a time, leaving he and his siblings at home unattended. His older sister was forced to step up and raise him. One of Leslie's earliest childhood memories is of his sister standing him on the kitchen counter so he could stir scrambled eggs while she cooke

Heidi grew up in Odessa, Missouri, surrounded by a large and loving family. While her father traveled the country building skyscrapers, her grandfather became a steady father figure in her life. She is the oldest of 45 grandkids which meant she had a large family support system. This support system allowed Heidi to reach many of her goals as a teenager and young adult, including making varsity on her high school cheerleading squad, graduating with honors in the field of art,

In 2009, Mr. Joseph Johnson III was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He ultimately served 16 years of that sentence. During his incarceration, Mr. Johnson became committed to changing his life for the better. He actively participated in treatment classes and rehabilitation programs Pathways to Change and the Gateway Foundation Corrections Program. Through these programs, he demonstrated a sincere desire for personal growth, accountability, and rehabilitation.

Norris Wall was raised on a farm in Mississippi as the son of a pastor. He grew up surrounded by family. Parents, grandparents, and great grandparents all lived in the same tight-knit community. Life was simple and structured. However, as he grew older, distance developed within his support system, and eventually, he moved to Missouri in search of something different. At the age of 19, the bright lights of the city quickly replaced the quiet life he once knew. He became drawn

I spent 16 months in jail. The first six months, there was no barber, no clippers, no scissors - just time. Time to think, time to wait, and time to grow. By month four, my hair started getting wild. By month six, it was out of control. But honestly, it became the least of my worries. My case kept getting delayed - again and again. With every delay, the system kept me sitting in a cell. Eventually, I got tired. Not just of being locked up, but of the endless waiting. Justice

Michael Monroe is the middle child of two siblings. He grew up with the guidance and love of his mother, grandmother and great grandmother. While growing up, Michael enjoyed playing sports, with baseball being his favorite. At the young age of eleven, his mother met and married his stepfather. To Michael, this was the time in his life when family felt normal and traditional. He remembers his stepfather as a wonderful provider and all-around good man. However, at the age of 22

Gratitude is a state of being, whereas thankfulness is the expression of that state of being . Unlike thankfulness, gratitude isn't an emotion or response to a situation. It is a mindset rooted in awareness, acceptance, compassion, and non-judgment that exists regardless of external factors. What a blessing to be able to say, “Look how far I’ve come, look how far we’ve come.” Second Chance has been evolving as a staple in the Kansas City, Missouri community since 2008. Betwee

Before incarceration, Mario Arredondo led a seemingly normal life. He worked as an over-the-road truck driver, enjoying his 2-week vacations with his wife and spending time with family. Mario grew up in a supportive family. His parents were foster parents, and he attended church regularly. He was blessed with a spiritual support system which played a role in how much Mario enjoyed his married life and extended family. With this strong family model, Mario naturally became a fa

“Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” - Denis Waitley Peer Support Leader Anthony Kamm is a past graduate of the Second Chance program featured in the Instilling Change series in March of 2022. It was important to Kamm to give back because of where he has been, what he has seen, and what he has experienced. In 2019 while locked up in prison, Kamm realized his inability to follow

James (Jimmy) Gant grew up in a loving family in Marshall, Missouri. His parents provided a good life for him and his siblings,...

Always be looking forward. “You can never plan the future by the past.” —Edmund Burke A life of privilege and comfort seemed almost too...

This month we would like to recognize the growth and efforts of one of our alumni from the Second Chance program, Loveless Jones....

Elizabeth Williams with Sisters in Christ has become a staple at Second Chance. From an early age, she has had a passion for mentoring...

A loving family is said to make all the difference. Growing up in a family where support was prevalent and a way of life, Chris was...

Kansas City has many attractions -some good, some bad. James Falkner grew up in the 90’s in Kansas City and lived a good life. He grew up...

Doom. That is what Erika felt about the chances of her repeating the cycle of addiction that was such a huge part of her childhood. Erika...

Imagine a tall, thin man carrying a large brown tote, labeled with the words, “Seeds” written in Sanskrit slung across his left shoulder....

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle once opined, “Change in all things is sweet.” George Bolton was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He was...

Maurice Blacknoll was born in St. Louis and raised by his mother and oldest sister in Kansas City. By the age of 11, Maurice was faced...

Jay Steinle grew up in a two-parent household with two much younger siblings. He never felt a real connection with his parents due to a...