Second Chance Orange County (SCOC) is a non-profit charity that assists low-income adults recovering from drug and alcohol addiction adjust back into society through free job skills training, interview skills, one-on-one coaching, mentoring and job placement.
To ensure success they customize the best plan and consider a variety of factors. What really differentiates SCOC is they go out and find their clients the “right” job. There are over 37 volunteers currently helping to get clients a job. They make cold calls and knock on doors if it means finding their clients the job they believe will increase their client’s odds of staying sober and returning to a life of success.
Deb Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of SCOC earned her undergraduate degree in marketing from California State University, Fullerton. She worked as an executive at a Fortune 100 firm, owned and ran a successful bank-consulting firm for over 15 years, and was an elected City Council Member in Orange County.
Even after all of her success, in 2015 she went on to get her Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Non-Profit Management from Columbia University.
“Everyone deserves a second chance!" said Deb. " I started this non-profit because I saw a huge gap in services, and instead of complaining about it, I decided to fix it. Families, at times were wasting their money on rehab and their kids, and family members were not staying sober. SCOC picks up a necessary piece of the pie that was severely missing in the community.”
5 Reasons Second Chance Orange County is providing valuable services:
1.
Lower Drug Overdose Deaths.
In the last 12 years, deaths from recreational drug-overdoses have increased by 61% in Orange County alone.
2. Lower Drug and Alcohol Hospitalizations.
There were 5,481 drug and alcohol-related hospitalizations in Orange County in 2015 alone.
3.
In the past 30 days, Second Chance Orange County has received
10 new client referrals
, and this number keeps growing. We do not want to turn anyone away that deserves our assistance.
4.
Since its founding in 2016, Second Chance Orange County has helped
30 individuals
take vital steps towards establishing fulfilling, meaningful and sober lives while walking away from addiction, homelessness and crime.
5.
Since September 2017, Second Chance Orange County has established strong partnerships with other service and homeless providers. Because of their referrals, SCOC is busier than ever. All donations go directly to client services, SCOC is an all volunteer organization.
Second Chance Orange County success story
Two years ago, Carol was attending an Orange County university when her financial aid ran out. Unable to afford the price of school, she found herself on the street.
She started using drugs in an attempt to manage the trauma of her circumstances, and soon became addicted. Desperately seeking to get off the streets, Carol was referred to a county homeless shelter.
With the help of several agencies, Carol began taking the bus and shuttles around the entire county searching for work without success. During this time, she also managed to get sober on her own, a remarkable accomplishment considering her situation.
Six months later Carol was facing the likelihood that she would be discharged from the homeless shelter, still without any job prospects. With a December deadline looming, she feared she would soon be living back on the streets.
That's when she was put in touch with Second Chance Orange County. Within a single day of signing the contract, Carol was scheduled for an interview with an employer and offered a position, which she accepted.
Thanks to Second Chance Orange County Carol is working hard to rebuild herself. On Nov. 28, 2017 Carol started a job at a local restaurant. Taking one step at a time, Carol hopes to return and finish college and constructively contribute to her community.
“I have never seen an individual try so hard to utilize the services of so many nonprofit agencies and not get the help she desperately needs. There was no way I was not going to help her. All she needed was a little extra push.”-
Deb Johnson Executive Director of Second Chance Orange County
To reach Second Chance Orange County:
(714) 922-0070
debjohnson@secondchanceorangecounty.org
www.secondchanceorangecounty.org
