Chance for Success, Street Newspaper NonProfit for Homeless, marginalized, and re-entry in Tucson
- Stephany Ramos
- Sep 16, 2023
- 3 min read
Hi everyone. If you’re reading this, I would like to start with Thank you and I hope you read until the end because this is a very meaningful topic.
I met Heather Evon last year in December through Taproots plus where I volunteer my time and help nonprofits with things like content creation, grant writing, mission statements, social media calendars and so on. She is the founding director at Chance for Success, Street Newspaper in Tucson, Arizona. which specifically works with homeless, marginalized, and re-entry.
Her non-profit gives these men and women a second chance and hope at becoming productive members of society and hope for a brighter future. A future away from crime, drugs, and gangs, where they likely will continue down a destructive path and remain a prisoner in a lifestyle that is near impossible to escape without help. I admired her faith and trust in these men and women and her compassion for them because I was all too familiar with this lifestyle myself. At the time my boyfriend was just 2 months out from serving a 3-and-a-half-year prison sentence. I know so many men and women that are set up for failure when they leave jail or prison because most are sent right back into the same environment, often homeless and expected to turn their lives around with little to no rehabilitation or help. The ones that do try face discrimination, judgement, very little options for financial stability, some are battling addictions, and mental illnesses, and things that should have been addressed in rehabilitation centers.
Heather is providing a way out for men and women in Tucson, Arizona. Not just a handout but a way to work, gain skills, and be proud of something. At the time I didn’t know just how passionate I would be about her cause. My boyfriend was doing great, checking in with his parole officer, he had a part time job that made him some money but not enough to live on his own comfortably, he was clean, he came to visit me on his days off but in January of this year he took his life... I can’t say why, because I don’t know… I don’t know if he was overwhelmed with responsibilities, depressed, battling with addictions or mental illness, seen no way out… I don’t know if there was something more I could.ve done or a sign I should’ve seen but I can’t imagine what he must have felt those days leading up to the thought that living was scarier than dying.
This is why heathers non-profit is so important, she isn’t only providing employment for these men and women that most people wouldn’t even take a chance on or a second look over their resume. She is providing hope, compassion, support, and above all a way out when the walls are closing in on you. Maybe all he needed was someone like Heather to see something in him and give him a push to keep fighting for a brighter future. Maybe he needed a more supportive community of like-minded people that understood what he was going through. Maybe he needed something more to be proud of instead of frying chicken part time because his spirit was so beautiful, and he wanted to do so much more with his life. To give back to his community and his people in an impactful way.
So, if you’re still reading this do me favor and lend a helping hand, donate, share a post, or show some kind of support to Heather and Chance for Success, Street Newspaper! If you have a skill set and an hour or two a week like website building, grant writing, fundraising, or financial advice reach out to her for Miguel, and I may he rest in peace (Happy early birthday papa). If you have loved ones in similar situations think of them. If you are in Tucson and can help Heather locally that would be even better, I’m sure she would appreciate the help. If anything, share this blog with others that may be willing to help, it’s for a beautiful cause and close to my heart.
In a world where you can be anything… Be Kind
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Comments