Almost 70 million Americans have a criminal record— and even after they have served their time, they remain marginalized and not accepted back in society. The temporary mark of incarceration traps these ex-felons in a permanent cycle of poverty and unemployment, which can lead to unfortunate recidivism.

It’s difficult to find a position or company that will work with you, rather than against you, when confronting your background. It is important to remember that those months or years you spent in a correctional facility do not have to define you or even be referred to as your “background.”

In August, the VA connected Shakarra with Second Chance Jobs, where she has access to personal finance classes, career coaching and mental health counseling. “This is life changing,” Hewttle said.

“The pervasiveness of incarceration and subsequent joblessness has robbed these communities of role models, mentors and the intergenerational transmission of skills needed to be a viable employee, so too many young people become involved in the justice system and repeat the cycle over again,” he said. “I see second-chance employment as the critical path to breaking this terrible cycle.”

The idea that “everyone deserves a second chance” is at the heart of a new nonprofit organization in action around Aiken County and beyond.

Three years ago, Kelly Grant was charged with an armed robbery. Drug addiction — which stemmed from prescribed medication used after a surgery — led to the armed robbery of a local pharmacy. He served two years in prison and though he had a career before his incarceration, he wanted to do something different.