Twitter is a miraculous platform for those of you who have not yet jumped into the social media deep end. Last week, a random or perhaps,  purposeful connection on Twitter lead me to this man, Scott Silverman and his remarkable story.

In 1984, Scott an upcoming executive sitting by an open window 44 floors up in a New York City skyscraper ready to jump, when a co-worker walked in and asked him what he was doing. Scott broke down, cried and realized he was an addict and needed help. That moment was his first, second chance.

Scott got out of rehab and began volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul in San Diego, where he saw people like himself (recovering addicts) most coming out of prison and beginning the cycle all over again. He realized that there were thousands who also needed a second chance. But Scott told me it really started with helping one homeless man. The man listened to Scott, got a haircut, then clean clothes and eventually a job. He came back three months later and said, “What can I do to pay you back?” Scott’s answer was simply,”Pay it forward.”

After 4 years of volunteering Scott saw a problem that needed a solution and that was the beginning of the non-profit, Second Chance.  He started out with a small dilapidated building, a few donations and a whole lot of hutspa. Scott had seen a tv show on tough love and decided that is exactly what his clients needed to get employed. So he incorporated a readiness program called STRIVE that teaches appropriate workplace behavior, interviewing skills, job search techniques, and a positive outlook toward working and more importantly to employment.

(click the link below)

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/03/19/heroes.scott.silverman.cnn?iref=videosearch

Today, Second Chance operates out of large facility, has graduated over 5,000 individuals and helped over 30,000 with everything from clothing to housing and everything in between. 70% of Second Chance graduates do not return to jail, instead they are now contributing members of society, earning wages and paying taxes.

Almost twenty years later, the organization still runs on donations but is now a national model for turning unemployment into employment.  Scott, whose life motto, is “Tell me NO I dare you!” Continues to change lives, inspire, motivate and give second chances. Isn’t is amazing the difference one tweet can make?

Charity Matters.

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