Greetings!
Second Chance soared in 2018! We deconstructed numerous homes that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. The salvaged materials from those homes joined tons of donated items in our retail warehouse on their journey to being reused and reloved. We served numerous area nonprofits and organizations, even as a swell of volunteers blessed us with their own service here. We helped to save landmarks, and we helped to save lives.
It's that all-important
human
element that most commands our attention year after year. Yes, materials matter, but people matter more--regardless of their past. Sustained employment is key to their personal dignity, independence and development. That's why the annual numbers that warm our hearts the most include, for example, the 18% increase in the number of people we hired and trained in 2018 and the improved rate at which they remained employed!
We are inspired as we watch these folks take advantage of their second chance and overcome their employment barriers. Three such people are featured in the inspirational video below. Please watch so you can better understand how Second Chance helps real people triumph over truly tough times.
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As you support Second Chance by
shopping
,
donating
,
deconstructing
,
volunteering
,
following
and
recommending
us, you nurture the advancement of people like Victor, Jess and Brandon--along with all those they touch. So my team and I want to express our deep appreciation for all of your generosity again this year. You're moving us forward with great momentum into 2019!
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Mark S. Foster
Founder & President
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Our employees are trained
in one of four functional realms: deconstruction, transportation, warehousing and retail. It's that last area that most of you know us for, and Tony is one of the smiling faces greeting you at the store. As a top salesman, Tony enjoys helping customers find just what they are looking for or pointing them toward alternative options.
"Tony
has proven himself to be the most adept, dedicated and skillful employee we have had the good luck to interact with in any business in a long, long time!"
-TV & Movie Set Buyer
Becky Weidner
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Up a whopping 25% over the previous year, 2018 saw a record number of
pickups
by our donation vehicles. Not even counting the deconstructed homes or drop off donations, these pick-ups alone resulted in approximately 1.6 million cubic feet of material sparred from the landfill and made available for reuse!
The brief video clip to the right shows Luis - a remarkable 12-year employee of Second Chance - and his crew during a typical retrieval.
Email
us to see if we can pick up your gently used items (tax receipt provided).
"
Your team is very professional and super nice! We'll use you again!" - Donor Polly Vail
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1,786 volunteers
invested an astounding 6,055 hours of service into the
mission
of Second Chance last year!
These charitable efforts helped us save about $161,305 in labor costs, which we were able to invest back into our workforce development efforts. See why we love our volunteers so much?!
Here
is a complete list of all of the fine organizations who provided volunteers in 2018.
Here
is information on volunteering yourself or organizing a group from 2 to 200 to serve!
"We had a blast helping you all out today and would love to make volunteering at Second Chance a new tradition!" - Volunteer Olivia Baltazar
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A crowning jewel of 2018 was the return of our annual
Wreckers Ball
, where we hosted 300+ people and a volunteer staff of 60 for an evening of fun and fundraising. Party-goers dressed in “construction chic,” delighted in tasty food and ample beverages, and danced to live music while enjoying games, raffles, a silent auction, photo booths, community tables, displays, themed decor and a community of friends.
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Our inaugural spring Pop Up Shop created such a buzz that we hosted two more last year! Our goal is to help local vendors, artists, makers and creators increase engagement with their customer base and ours, resulting in a shopping event that's fun and memorable for all. Stay tuned to
Facebook
for details about our next Pop Up extravaganza in April.
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Iconic Bel-Loc Diner Sign Lives On
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We won’t be serving 6-egg omelettes any time soon, but we cherish displaying this storied
diner sign
that came down this year after serving as a Towson-area landmark for more than a half century. Come enjoy a nod to local history 9 to 5 any day!
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C
lick
here
to provide a tax-deductible gift via credit card, bank account or PayPal. Click
here
to contribute cash, stocks, vehicles, etc., and
here
to donate resellable items to support our mission.
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Second Chance, Inc. | 410-385-1700 | 1700 Ridgely Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
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Website
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