In today’s political and over-ambushed scene, treading the sensitive has taken on new and unbalancing dimensions.
For the justice-involved, recognizing their mental, emotional, and psychological landscape can be a huge step away from recidivism and leaps closer to safer streets.
Dose of reality
2nd Chance University is about preparing those who have stumbled with the tools to succeed. With this in mind, the topic of sensitivity needs to be addressed. Partnering with triangulation, let’s take a look at treading the sensitive from three perspectives:
From the justice-involved:
- Any miss-step could mean revocation and a return to prison
- Being released does not equate to instant freedom, physically, emotionally, or psychologically
- Typically an “out to get me” view where choices bombard, forcing vertigo with reckless abandon
From the employer:
- How do I interview someone convicted of a crime
- What will other employees think if I hire a convict, is it fair, is it safe
- Is hiring a felon the right thing to do or should I just close my eyes from it all and pretend I am doing the right thing by discriminating against those who have stumbled
From the community:
- Let those who have been incarcerated remain and rot
- Don’t want anyone who has a record in my neighborhood
- Those who have stumbled cannot be trusted, believed, or are capable of recovery
When it comes to treading the sensitive, those who have stumbled have lived the life and will continue to do so until their dying days. Granted, some are not deserving of second chances but all deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity.
In order to become a productive member of the community, those who have stumbled must understand not only the above perspectives, but must also develop tools to overcome those obstacles… this is the mission at 2nd Chance University.
2nd 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
http://www.2ndChanceUniversity.org
dhuffman@2ndChanceUniversity.org
2nd Chance University 