Taking Second Chance to the Next Level

By Diane Rosenberg

“Social Venture Partners provided invaluable expertise in helping us determine how to take the agency to the next level.”
Scott Silverman, Executive Director

In its 15th year, Second Chance served over 4,500 clients wanting to break the cycle of unemployment, poverty, or incarceration. The agency’s nationally recognized STRIVE (Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees) job readiness program achieved unparalleled results, with over 70% of graduates attaining employment and 70% retaining their jobs after two years. Furthermore, each dollar invested in Second Chance programs returned five dollars back to the community—a 500% return on investment—via taxes paid by its clients and avoidance of incarceration costs through reduced recidivism.

Working with San Diego Social Venture Partners and the agency’s board of directors, Second Chance conducted a preliminary feasibility and outcomes study to determine how to serve more clients. During the next year, Second Chance will add a second classroom with the potential to double the clients served by its STRIVE job readiness program. The agency will also increase its transitional housing capacity by 50% to house clients while they seek employment and build savings to transition to permanent housing. Second Chance will provide two new additional programs: Financial Literacy and Addiction Relapse Prevention. Second Chance has also secured funding to conduct an in-depth outcomes study with leading experts to continue to improve the effectiveness of its programs. Having SDSVP Partners serve on the Board of Directors strengthened the link of capacity-building with strategic decisions and key initiatives.