WHAT DOES A SECOND CHANCE MEAN TO YOU?
Connie: It means the ability to start my life over. To reinvent myself. Learning to be the woman God intended me to be. I’m not paralyzed by the chains of my addiction that have taken so many years away from me. Now, I’m learning who I really am. Second Chance Initiative has given me a purpose. They have given me a do-over. I have so much gratitude for these women. There’s nothing like them.
HOW HAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE BECAUSE OF YOUR RECOVERY EXPERIENCE AT THE SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE?
Connie: There was a time when my dad had to detach from me totally. It was too painful for him to see me self-destruct. I was so self-centered as an alcoholic. It was such a lie that I was only hurting myself—it was a tornado running through my family. In my early stages, my dad thought he could help but realized it only enabled me. He finally had to draw the line and stop talking to me. I thought I would never have a relationship with him again. We have a great relationship, and he tells me he has his daughter back.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO HAVE A FOUNDER AND SUPERVISORS WHO ALSO HAVE COME THROUGH RECOVERY?
Connie:To know that the Second Chance Initiative was started by a woman in recovery and how it keeps growing… I’m excited to be a part of that. The women in leadership here work with grace and integrity. They are how I want to be as a growing woman in recovery. They are amazing women. I want to be like them and emulate what they do.
WHAT COULD YOU SAY TO A POTENTIAL DONOR ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD MAKE A GIFT TO SCI?
Connie: You are helping to build a workforce of women who can now have experience and be gainfully employed. It’s a win-win.