2CU: The Real Thing

Throughout our programs Stick and Duck detail their experiences about doing time. Though there are entertaining movies and books about prison life, those don’t compare to the real thing.

The Real Thing

Bosses scream while walking the runs of our prison wing all day and most of the night. The nights are the worst. Some of their voices are all right but most of them grate on our nerve endings, like fingernails screeching against a blackboard. Other sounds pierce the fleet slices of nightly solitude.

The banging of locker doors, the abusive curses from one row to another, and the pitiful pleadings and crying of, “please no more, no more” make this world one nobody could understand without experiencing it.

We cover our ears, longing for the unnatural acts to be over quickly. A few of us begin to pray for the person being molested. We get very little sleep.

Stick

Insight

What do you think you know about doing time and prison life?

Doing Time:

Prison life:

2^nd Chance University partners with organizations/institutions dedicated to those who have stumbled. Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues.

For those wishing to partner with 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward; together we can make a difference.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
http://www.2ndChanceUniversit.org
2^nd Chance University, nonprofit 501(c)
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

The Human Element

2nd Chance University believes everyone can reach their mountaintop no matter the obstacles in the way. Our programs rely on trauma informed care, behavioral best-practice approaches, cultural and holistic theories, and the most important ingredient threading success: the human element.

All Deserve the Opportunity to Rise

Never forgot the look on my kid’s faces, a boy and a girl ages 10 and 8, when I saw them for prison visitation. When they saw me the first look on their small faces was pain and my daughter’s eyes filled with tears. It broke my heart to see their initial expressions and I too choked up. I vowed in my heart once out, I would do what it took to stay out and be a good father.
Stick

Insight

Why do you think the “human element” is missing from so many programs dealing with the justice-involved?

What do you think “human element” means?

2^nd Chance University is a nonprofit partnering with organizations and institutions dedicated to empower those who have stumbled. Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
2^nd Chance University
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

2CU: Mark and You

Fresh from prison release, Mark gives a unique perspective many will identify with.

Mark

Used to get around fine, hitting around the block and doing enough to get things done. Got into some trouble and needed cash in a hurry. The guy I was delivering to was not who he was supposed to be.

Same old story. Got busted and found a way out by going inside. Did some time in county and a year in state. Not much time but enough to know I got the rest of my life with this on my back.

After getting released, not many places gave me a chance. Got my GED inside, but that’s not enough.  Don’t know if I am going to make it but hoping this series can help get me on the track and out of prison. Truth is, without a job doesn’t look like a good start.

Oh yeah, name’s Mark and I got out 26 days ago.

Insight

In what ways can you identify with Mark?

I welcome your stories to be added into our series. If you chose to share or support, email me directly. For those wishing to introduce 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward; together we can make a difference.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
2^nd Chance University
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

2CU: Robert and Accepting Defeat

Continuing with our work and getting you a front seat as to our programs, time to introduce Robert. As always, share and respond to the insight.

Robert:

 Hey, I’m Robert. I work in construction, or at least I did until a few months ago. Boss fired me because the company wasn’t doing well. I know they are getting plenty of business so I’m pretty upset about not working; probably has to do with my arrest.  

True enough, I’m more of a construction laborer but I still have lots to offer. Now, I can’t seem to find a job no matter how hard I try. I’m 24 years old and all I’ve ever done is construction work. They don’t want to hire somebody my age or maybe they think I can’t handle the job. It may be time for me to move on from manual labor, but I don’t know how. 

All the jobs I apply for wash out, and I can’t live off unemployment forever. I need a job now, any job. Don’t want to be in the system (prison) but I am ready to give up.

Insight: Sounds like Robert has accepted defeat. What advice would you share with Robert if he was in the classroom right now? Have you ever accepted defeat?

My advice to Robert would be:

                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                               

Here’s what happens when I accept defeat:

                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                               

2^nd Chance University partners with organizations/institutions dedicated to those who have stumbled. Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues.

I welcome your stories to be added into our series. If you chose to share or support, email me directly. For those wishing to introduce 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward; together we can make a difference.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
2^nd Chance University
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

2CU: Julie Introduced

Throughout our 18 books, three peers and two ex-convicts share their stories about their arrest, prison, release, and reintegration. Participants get to know each peer and convict, learning choice and consequence affect more than the singular.

2^nd Chance University partners with organizations/institutions dedicated to those who have stumbled within the justice system. Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues. Time to meet Julie…

Julie:

Name’s Julie. I’m 19 years old, and a single mother, but the state has my baby. Well, my grandmother does, but she’s technically in foster care. I only get to see her sometimes. I haven’t been fully employed since high school, and even then I only worked part time jobs at places like Taco Bell and Target. But I did work at a neighborhood day care for a while and loved it. 

It’s really hard to find a job when everyone says you don’t have enough experience or that I have a kid. I may not have a high school diploma, but I did get my GED. My kid deserves a better life than what I’ve had. Don’t know if I will ever be able to get it together for her—guess things don’t really change.

Insight: Do you agree with Julie when she said “things don’t really change?” Explain why?

I welcome your stories to be added into our series. If you chose to share or support, email me directly. For those wishing to introduce 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
2^ndChanceUniversity.org
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

 

2CU: Duck and Forced Choices

As mentioned, we will be showcasing several individuals who assisted in the creation, construction, and completion of our programs designed for youth (14-17 years of age), adult diversion to incarceration (18-24 years of age, low level offense), and adult pre/post release.

Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues. Virtual participants throughout the pages are real and so is their story.

Duck is an integral part of our success as his experiences bring reality to each page within our 18-book programs, giving participants a sense of identity.

Duck, ex-felon, served 13 years on a 40, released on mandatory supervision…

Doing time: Been told what to do for the past 13 years, what to wear, how to walk, when to go to store, when to take a dump, and when to keep shut. These months out is out of control; not used to making choices, prison took all that away.

Duck

Participants are encouraged to respond to each life experience, facilitators then engage in group discussions surrounding the original statement, insight question, and participant response. I now ask readers to respond via comment section of each submission.

Insight: What life and everyday choices would you give up by going to prison?

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2^nd Chance University is a non-profit designed for those who have stumbled within our justice system as they regain their Commitment, Hope, and Empowerment. I welcome your stories to be added into our series.

If you chose to share or support, email me directly. For those wishing to introduce 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward.

Danny Huffman

407-878-0474

dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

2CU: Justice-Involved Programs

2^nd Chance University is a non-profit dedicated to educating, employing, and empowering the justice-involved. Our 18-book, 4-6 month intensive programs take an aggressive interactive approach founded by trauma-informed care, behavioral modification, and consciousness consequence theory.

2^nd Chance University programs serve youth (14-17 years of age), adult diversion to incarceration (18-24 years of age, low level offense), and adult pre/post release.

Our material and workshops take advantage of real people, real life, and real issues. Virtual participants throughout the pages are real and so is their story.

During these submission we bring core characters to the forefront, are not censored, and depict life during and after arrest factually. I encourage each reader to follow the stories, respond to the questions, and regain lost hope.

At this time, let me introduce Stick, a solid contributor and has been with 2^nd Chance University since 2012.

• Served 11 ½ years in one of the hardest penal systems in the country, Texas.

Doing time: A tall raw-boned red headed man sat next to me in the holding cell. He said his name was Red. We talked a little and he told me he was in for stabbing his girlfriend with a pitchfork. She didn’t die.

“But,” he said, “She won’t be looking at any other men now!”

I asked, “Why’s that?”

Red said, “I stuck the pitchfork in her face and the prongs went into her eyes, so now she can’t see.”

A cold chill went up my spine as I looked at this pasty faced man, I didn’t comment, but moved a few inches away.

Stick

Insight: What life and everyday choices will you give up by going to prison?

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In future articles, we will learn more about Stick, Duck, and others as they share their story.

2^nd Chance University is a non-profit designed for those who have stumbled within our justice system as they regain their Commitment, Hope, and Empowerment.

I welcome your stories to be added into our series. If you chose to share or support, email me directly. For those wishing to introduce 2CU and our programs into an organization, institution, or facility, please step forward.

Danny Huffman
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org
2^nd Chance University

Set… Go

Our 18-book workshop series features multiple individuals who are justice-involved, allowing participants to identify and interact confidently. Will be introducing Stick and Duck soon as well as showcasing their stories. I will encourage readers to share thoughts and respond to their situations as the posts progress.

Our goal, throughout our blogs and stories, is to develop relationships with organizations, institutions, and individuals with the mission to help those who have stumbled. Your connections and networking is much appreciated as we are a non-profit looking to change the world.

Duck will be the first to take the stage later today…

 

2CU Programs Ready to Roll

2nd Chance University is a non-profit organization focusing on youth and adults who have stumbled. Presently we are reaching out to those with a strong desire to make their community safer by offering youths and young adults an alternative to incarceration. This is where we need your help to implement effective programs in a partnership capacity.

Simply put, our 3, 6, and 18-month life-changing programs work, are scalable, and are cost effective.

Through the guidance of criminal justice administrators, facilitators, parole officers, inmates and parolees, 2nd Chance University brings intensive and interactive workshops for three audiences:

1. Youth Reintegration and Empowerment offering the 14 – 17 year old who has fallen off their path a proactive method to regain Commitment, Hope, and Empowerment. This program works in unison with brick and mortar facilities and is customized to parallel with academic goals and objectives of the facility and state.

2. Adult Alternatives to Incarceration allowing the 17 – 24 year old low-level offender to reestablish their path to freedom and success. This program affords Judges and District Attorneys to have an option from incarceration for those who have made a mistake.

3. Adult pre- and post-release brings reality front and center. Constructed by former convicts who have been through pre- and post-release programs, game-playing is not part of the equation. There are no more effective programs to show convicts what it takes to stay on the path, to secure and keep a job, and to become a productive part of the community.

• Each program follows a similar core format:
  Turn-key ready
  Hard print and/or digital friendly
  Eighteen book courseware with an additional facilitator guide
  Individualized train-the-trainer two-day seminar held at our local headquarters in Sanford, Florida, or can be brought to your facility for group advantage.

Personally going through release camps and living the life, many of our contributors know there are no other programs as effective, interactive, and tangible than what is presented by 2nd Chance University.

Our classroom setting in Sanford, Florida handles up to 26 students and is also used for facilitator training workshops.

At your convenience, call for a deeper understanding of what and who 2nd Chance University is and how joining forces will build a better tomorrow, today.

Danny Huffman
407-878-0474
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org

2nd Chance University: We…

2^nd Chance University has lived its design, writes about what we know concerning our years of empirical findings and shares what works by applying those years of experience living within the criminal justice system.  

Our proprietary methods for altering potential criminal sentences, as well as helping those who have been sentenced to incarceration, builds on a structured methodology which allows those in pretrial and those leaving detention and incarceration to fit into society as a productive citizen.  

Each justice involved person, including Juveniles, may find identity, significance, and purpose in life and to the values their social environment offers. 2^nd Chance University saves money, reduces recidivism and helps build communities by Educating, Empowering and Employing the justice involved.  

We recognize employment is a key factor in helping the justice-involved. 2CU is built upon behavioral modification, trauma centered therapy and holistic approaches to breaking the revolving door of incarceration.

Within three years of being released, 60% of ex-prisoners re-offend and 52% are re-incarcerated, according to a study published in 2014. The rate of recidivism is so high in the United States that most inmates who enter the system are likely to reenter within a year of their release.

Therefore the lock them up and throw away the key methodology is not working as can be seen by the percentage of people going back to prison. 2^nd Chance University gives the justice-involved a solution to this problem. We teach them to learn, earn, and stay out.

Our program addresses the haunting effects of trauma, felt and witnessed horrible experiences attached to their environment. By addressing these issues we uncover the reasoning for many of the justice involved who exhibit a lack of empathy. Therefore the use of Looking Glass Self Theory helps them understand their situation and resonates a new meaning in their life as how to view the social constructs of society in a different and hopeful manner.

The team at 2^nd Chance University relies on proven concepts in order to break this revolving door of recidivism and the continuous cycle of poverty exemplified by incarceration. Our system has been proven and the principals of our program are walking examples of successful reintegration.

For individuals, organizations, and/or institutions dedicated to transforming the world, we are always looking for support and partnerships. Give me a call (407-878-0474) or email (dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org) for insight.

Danny Huffman