Page 128 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2021

GIVING BACK
2nd Chance MS
story by Victoria Snyder photos courtesy of 2nd Chance MS
With 1,113 adults benefitted, it’s obvious that 2nd Chance MS is doing something right. 347 adults have received high school equivalencies, 304 have employable workforce certifications, and 287 possess Smart Start credentials.
It makes sense that its mission is to promote and support adult education and work skills training in Mississippi.
Compared to the rest of the nation, Mississippi has low workforce participation and a high number of high school dropouts. 2nd Chance MS believes that these issues are the root cause of crises Mississippians face like poverty, racism, obesity, crime, and more.
On the other hand, Mississippi consistently ranks as
one of the most charitable states and boasts an incredible community college system. These community colleges offer education and skill training programs for adults who need jobs. 2nd Chance MS noticed that community colleges needed more funding to bring their missions to life, and adult students needed support to complete their education.
That is why this nonprofit works on developing initiatives with community colleges to help adult students get the education and training they need to land a job. 2nd Chance MS helps to remove barriers keeping adults from getting a high school equivalency and/or employable certification. Its programs provide things like tuition and transportation assistance, stipends for good attendance, school supplies, and much more.
“2nd Chance MS provides needed assistance to hard- working adults who are brave enough to go back to school to get their education and work skills training so that they can be more employable,” says Executive Director Zach Scruggs. “I love that we believe and invest in Mississippi’s greatest natural resource: its people.”
2nd Chance MS believes that support will lead to numerous positive collateral consequences that will benefit all Mississippians.
128 | December 2021
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