Second Chance Champion Honors
🏆 Second Chance Champion Honors Brunch: Celebrating Redemption, Resilience, and Rising Again
On a morning filled with hope, honor, and heartfelt celebration, the Second Chance Champion Honors Brunch brought together community leaders, returning citizens, and advocates of restorative justice for a moment that was far more than ceremonial—it was transformational.
Held in a spirit of unity and recognition, the event honored those who have not only turned their lives around after incarceration but have become beacons of change, lighting the way for others navigating the road to restoration.
🌟 Honoring Champions of Change
During the brunch, four remarkable individuals were presented with trophies for their outstanding transformation and impact:
Robert Cunningham
Chris Boozer
Sakana Walls
John McCasline
Each of these honorees has overcome tremendous adversity and emerged as leaders, mentors, and community contributors. Their stories of grit and growth stood as powerful reminders that a record doesn’t erase purpose—and redemption is real.
In addition to these champions, five others received medals, including two dedicated team members from The Way Home Inc.:
Delores Clark
Patience Kilgo-Felder
Their tireless commitment to supporting reentry efforts has helped transform countless lives in Sussex County and beyond. It was a special moment to see staff recognized not just for what they do—but for who they empower others to become.
🎤 A Moment That Moved the Room
One of the highlights of the event was a stirring speech by Mardis Powell, whose raw honesty and emotional transparency left no dry eye in the room. His words captured the very essence of the Second Chance movement: that hope, healing, and honor are possible even after deep hardship.
📖 A New Chapter: The Book Announcement
In a surprise and meaningful announcement, Dr. Ira Roach III, Founder of Focus Forward Civility and Elevate Forward Global, shared that the men honored would have the opportunity to share their stories in a published book project.
“This won’t just be a ceremony you remember—it will be a legacy you leave,” Dr. Roach told the honorees.
This book will feature testimonies from justice-impacted individuals who are no longer defined by their past, but by their commitment to shaping a better future.
💬 Why It Matters
Events like the Second Chance Champion Honors aren’t about polishing people for public approval—they’re about affirming that transformation is a community effort. They remind us that behind every record is a human being with potential, purpose, and the power to rise again.
As Focus Forward continues to uplift voices, rebuild lives, and honor those who live with integrity and courage, one thing is clear:
Second chances don’t just change lives—they create legacies.
Dr. Ira Roach III is the founder of Focus Forward Global Civility Movement and the Senior Pastor of the City of Refuge Church Inc. He is also a Vice- Chancellor at United Graduate College and Seminary International and founder of Ubuntu Graduate College and International Seminary, He holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling, Christian Education and a Certified Christian Coach.
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