Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, has been a very impacting organization in my life. At a time when I was experiencing financial difficulties the organization helped make my education possible. Not only was the doors open for education, but also numerous positive opportunities arose from it. I am very thankful to be a recipient of the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, and I’d recommend it to any individual in need of support!      From:  G.O.

 

Dear Second Chance,
As a troubled youth witnessing the successes of others in society through television, I had a desire to change my life around and become a better person, but what held me back was my circumstances and my state of mind. Being incarcerated I was surrounded by negativity, plus after finally completing my high school, I did not have much money to fund my fragile desire to pursue higher education. I wanted a clean start so I moved to a different province, yet the move made it very difficult to receive a student loan. I put my newly realized dreams to the side, dismissing and minimizing them as much as possible. I felt judged because of my past wherever I went; I was very tempted to give up and return to my old selfish lifestyle: perceiving society as an antagonist and make money through illegal means. Yet a social worker informed me of a group called Second Chance. I contacted them and I received a surprisingly immediate and genuinely warm response. They provided me with the exact financial and moral support I needed for having faith in myself and getting a university education without any judgement. I still remember being told by Second Chance members that they don’t want to know about my past, which encouraged me to be much more focused on my future. From that moment on, I made a commitment to myself, Second Chance, my family, and especially society that I will turn my life around and always reach high and dream big.

Second Chance has supported me throughout my undergraduate studies and their faith in me has motivated me to give back to the wonderful community that I see myself a part of. I have an overwhelming desire to not only realize my potential, but to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I recently graduated from university with honors in two majors and plan on continuing further in my educational pursuit. My studies have been filled with countless challenges, achievements and exciting experiences as I continued to realize personal bests. I lead a youth group and volunteer with several not-for-profit organizations. These experiences, achievements and self developments are only possible because of Second Chance, whose help I am forever grateful for. Looking back, I feel I have endured long distances as I continue to move away from my past toward goals of personal bests. The possibilities seem endless for we all have something to improve on, yet I would not have even thought about running toward any of my goals had it not been for the continuous support of Second Chance who made sure I never lost sight of where I was going. Your continuous financial assistance, along with your constant faith in my potential keeps me motivated with the necessary hope in myself that I can move on despite the many obstacles that stand in my way. Thanks to you, I can keep my eye on my goals in my race with myself to be the best person I can possibly be.  From: B.

 

Dear Second Chance,

When I received a phone call last fall informing me that I had been selected to receive the Second Chance Scholarship my heart almost stopped. I immediately started crying because of the instant relief I felt. I had spent so much time worrying about money and school, and just like that I didn’t have to anymore. I really don’t think I heard anything after “You were selected to receive the Second Chance Scholarship.” I’m sure I stuttered and stumbled over some kind of incomprehensible thank you but there is really no way to explain what receiving this scholarship has done for me.
I never considered myself to be lucky. Growing up in Toronto Community Housing I remember being angry that my family didn’t have more. When I was younger I acted out in school and did things that I’m not particularly proud of but being able to go to university has given me a new perspective on myself and the world. I’m applying to law school this year because I want to develop programs and policy for youth from low income communities. I think I have a unique understanding of what it really means to be an “at-risk” youth. Receiving this scholarship has inspired me to work harder. It’s really encouraging to know that someone believed in my potential so much that they made this investment in me and I have every intention of making sure they see a return on their investment.  From:  G.A.

 

 

As the music teacher at Brookside Correctional Facility in Cobourg, I am always delighted when I see a student experience musical success for the first time, be it mastering a chord on the guitar, a melody on the piano or laying down a set of original lyrics on a track. The result is the same – their hardness melts away in the success of that moment and you are then faced with the student inside who is anxious to learn and succeed.

I have watched, over the course of the past 2 years, a young man incarcerated at Brookside Secondary School pass through 3 distinctive stages – all three reflected in his music lyrics. The final stage bought about his establishing specific goals and dreams he could achieve through completing his high school degree and attending college. Fulfilling this dream is about to begin.

Enter the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, a group of people based in Toronto who believe our young offenders do in actual fact deserve a second chance. These youth have the right to put their life back on track through education so they may become contributing members of society.

The Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, through major fundraising efforts, establish scholarships for disenfranchised youth for post secondary studies. I have experienced first hand, the positive, supportive encounters between this Foundation and incarcerated youth, and the ultimate hope they instill in students who have, through hard work and the right choices, put their lives back on track. Second chance recognizes the potential in these young offenders to permanently better their circumstances and they are there to offer financial assistance.

Joanne Drury
Music Teacher
Brookside Correctional Youth Centre (Cobourg, Ontario)

 

“I had never read a book until I came to this facility, and now I’m reading all the time.”
“I’m going to read every book by Eric Walters before I get released from here!”
“I think I might even go to a bookstore for the first time when I go home.”

As an English teacher, it is a delight to hear students make comments such as these. Thanks to the generosity of Second Chance, our facility library has been refurbished and we are now able to provide a wide range of resources for these young men to develop a love of reading. We know that as their literacy skills develop, so does their self-esteem and their belief in their own potential to contribute positively to society.

MaryAnne Watson-Bonsall
English Teacher – Brookside Youth Centre (Cobourg, Ontario)

 

COVID-19 came as a surprise, causing a huge financial strain on my family and I. I had no idea how school was going to be paid for in full. Thanks to the Second Chance Scholarship, I was able to cover tuition requirements and complete my Fall and Winter courses. I owe a huge thanks to the board members for allowing me to have this opportunity to earn my degree! They continue to give students an opportunity to invest in themselves through education.”

J.S.