Second Chances Begin with Literacy: Teaching Behind Bars

Today marks my 3-year anniversary of me having the privilege of volunteering my time to teach teens in jail how to read—and it’s been one of the most humbling experiences of my career. Literacy is something many of us take for granted. But for the kids I work with, learning to read isn’t just about words on a page—it’s about dignity, independence, and the possibility of a different future.

I’ve watched some sound out their first sentences, write their names with confidence, and begin to engage with the world in a way they never could before. Those moments stay with you. We often talk about talent pipelines, workforce development, and second chances. This is where that work truly begins.

If we are serious about rehabilitation, we have to start with the fundamentals. Literacy is not optional—it’s foundational. From reading job boards to filling in applications, you can have all the tech in the world, but if you can't read, it's a really rough rad ahead.

   People are not defined by their worst moment. They are defined by what they do next—and whether we’re willing to invest in that next step.