Among those earning diplomas this graduation season are a group of former prison inmates who have been given a true second chance.
Instead of taking a shortcut toward something that got many of them locked up in the first place, these determined men and women sat in a Bronx classroom for 20 weeks of intensive financial wellness courses.
The Bronx Chase Community Center’s Youth for Justice program was designed to support the participants’ reentry into the community with months of financial literacy and job-readiness classes.
“As a community manager, my job is to teach financial literacy in underserved communities, and having the chance to bring that education to youth justice-involved participants fills me with real pride,” said Chase Bank Community Manager Sherlyn Santana.
The 25 participants met weekly for hour-long classes at the Chase Community Center on Fordham Road.
Course work included introductory banking sessions, budgeting workshops, and credit education.
After getting the banking basics, participants engaged in deeper discussions about managing expenses after incarceration, building credit, and setting long-term goals—such as starting a small business, buying a home, or purchasing a car.
Participants with families also learned strategies for saving for their children’s futures and budgeting for milestones.
At their graduation ceremony Friday, students shared personal stories about how the program helped them rebuild their lives.
Santana said the connection has been personal.
“These are people who look like me, who reflect who I am and where I’m from,” she said. “Seeing everything coming together at their graduation brings me deep joy and reminds me why I love what I do every day. “
Santana said she could see a real need for education, especially in the financial sector. She said the program gave the graduates more than second chance lip service.
“It gave participants practical tools to pursue opportunities they hadn’t been able to before, given the challenges and circumstances they faced after incarceration,” she said.
