Second Chance Society

Hand up program the Second Chance Society, inc.'s hand up program was established in 2001 to assist homeless and struggling individuals in the community overcome material barriers to employment. It accomplishes this in two ways. When a client is offered employment, which he/she cannot accept because they lack the means to acquire items that are required as a pre-condition of their employment, Second Chance Society steps in to buy just those necessary items for him/her. Typically, this includes such things as work boots, uniforms, tools or licensure. Most of the clients served by the hand up program are referred to the organization by other agencies in the continuum of care for the homeless. There is an application and interview process. Also, Second Chance Society assists homeless or struggling persons who are enrolled in viable vocational training, but who cannot afford the necessary text books and school supplies. The program provides these. Tuition is also paid on some short courses such as security and some medical courses. To date, the Second Chance hand up program has assisted more than 5,405 clients on the path to economic self-sufficiency. The program employs a further module of periodic post service contacts to provide the clients with further encouragement, and to aid in tracking outcomes. I. d. program the Second Chance Society i. d. program was established in february, 2011 with a 10,000 grant from the community foundation of broward county. Thus far it has helped 6,239 men and women get their i.d. Many times this also includes getting a birth certificate and sometimes a marriage license. Without an i. d., it is impossible for a client to look for employment or do almost anything. This program helps with the very first step of rehabilitation whereas the hand-up program is many times the last step in getting the client employed.