Beyond The Couch: A Second Chance at Belonging

THE WELL OF PBC / DEC ISSUE 2021

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Executive director Lisa Roeberg says almost everyone has needed a second chance at some point in their lives, and the women who participate in their program are no different. “Our mission is to provide jobs that help women in recovery flourish. We believe that work has the power to transform lives, so we named

The Second Chance Initiative, a non-profit social enterprise located in Boca Raton, Florida, knows a sense of belonging goes a long way in helping a person learn to cope with difficulties and become more resilient. They help women in recovery work toward self-sufficiency, gain confidence, and build a brighter future, thereby breaking the cycle that perpetuates relapse. Creating jobs that help women flourish within a healthy culture of sisterhood and belonging is the core mission of Second Chance Initiative.

A January 2021 article in Forbes, “Missing Your People: Why Belonging Is So Important And How To Create It,” featured beluga whale research by Florida Atlantic University scientists that noted how our human need for belonging mirrors the complex social relationships of closely, distantly, and even unrelated whales. A 2020 Massachusetts Institute of Technology study indicated that acute isolation causes social craving, similar to how fasting causes hunger. And a 1999 University of Michigan School of Nursing study found that a low sense of belonging is a stronger predictor of depression than social support and getting connected is paramount in depressive recovery.

Do you know how you can feel like a stranger in a room full of familiar faces? If so, you also know how powerful it is to feel accepted, connected, validated, and understood.

WWW.HER2NDCHANCE.ORG BY JULIE KHANNA @KHANNACONNECTIONS @HER2NDCHANCE

A Second Chance at Belonging

” A sense of belonging goes a long way in helping a person learn to cope with difficulties and become more resilient.

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BEYOND THE COUCH

THE WELL OF PBC / DEC ISSUE 2021 19

Beyond The Couch highlights non-traditional mental health outlets and resources in Palm Beach County. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “Beyond the Couch” in the subject line.

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Though Second Chance Initiative products generate some revenue, the nonprofit relies primarily on solid community support and donations. This funding is vital as its business model covers all necessary programming as well as generous salaries for all Second Chance Initiative women workers. https://her2ndchance.org/

“It’s truly inspiring to watch mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters blossom into their best selves after being with us for just a few months. We see the difference we are making in real-time. We have seen women reunited with children and family members and move onto next steps in their lives,” Roeberg says, adding that volunteers are always needed to work alongside the women to help fulfill orders and grow the business with their expertise.

The organization strongly believes that creating a sense of “sisterhood” aids tremendously in each woman’s recovery. By supporting them in their work, acting as a sounding board, and helping them redefine purpose, women experience a greater sense of belonging and hope in a brighter future.

BEYOND THE COUCH

Roeberg says that readers can best support the organization’s work and mission by shopping for custom coffee mugs for their personal or business needs. “We don’t hire women to make mugs; we make mugs to hire women in recovery,” she says. All women who come to Second Chance Initiative start in the order fulfillment process and transition to teams for graphic design, customer service, quality control, communications, marketing, and more. The non-judgmental staff cares about a woman’s potential and future, not her past. They encourage women to share their personal experiences through storytelling, facilitating a solid bond because they realize their shared experiences are similar. Additionally, all workers take regular breaks to meditate together.

Second Chance Initiative’s workforce opportunities are continually expanding. Jobs range from roles for experienced professionals learning how to balance work and recovery to entry-level positions for women who are new to the workforce or cannot return to previous careers. Of the 63 women they’ve served to date, the dozen or so working at any one time have been employed from a few months to a couple of years.

Its founder, Keely Copeland, formed the 501(c)(3) social impact organization three years ago because of her own experience with recovery and unemployment. Keely wanted to create paid jobs to help women in recovery work their programs, stay well, and prosper.

our program Wellness Works -- because it does. We provide a workplace culture focused on wellbeing by prioritizing recovery, wellness, and work/life balance,” she says.