Second Chance Center, Inc.

Background Statement

Ten years ago, in February 2012, Second Chance Center was launched as a “mobile program” from the

back seat of Founder Hassan Latif’s car. After a year of driving around the streets, reaching out to people

he recognized as returning citizens in desperate need of help, SCC graduated to a walk-in closet courtesy

of our friends at It Takes a Village. In 2020, we purchased our own welcoming two-story building in

Aurora, and in 2021, we opened “SCC in the City” where we provide re-entry services at the Denver City

and County jail. Today, SCC is the most extensive, most effective re-entry program in Colorado, maintaining a

recidivism rate under 10% compared to 47% statewide.

We’ve come a long way, and that’s thanks to generous donors like you who took a chance on a group of

returning citizens - and what a difference you have made!

In Fiscal Year 2022 we served 1,884 clients in our Aurora home, 742 at our Denver City & County Jail re-

entry site, “SCC in the City,” and 48 adults and 13 children in our permanent supportive housing

development, Providence at the Heights.

We offer a welcoming space for returning citizens where they can find housing, job training,

employment, practical resources, and the support they need to address mental health problems and

substance use disorders. But our connection begins long before re-entry with programming and pre-

release planning in prisons throughout the state. SCC staff have an immediate connection with our

client partners because many have walked the same path. Half of SCC’s 51 staff members are

‘justice involved.’

Please help us continue to make a difference in the lives of people just looking for a second chance -

with your support, they can build a new life of success and fulfillment.