It was only while serving six years in prison for drugs that 37-year-old Shawn Serfass decided to change his life.
"During my incarceration I realized I needed to make some changes. I was trying to figure out how to better myself and not just sit around in prison and feel sorry for myself so I got 4 certifications as a personal trainer and an associate's degree," Shawn said.
He got married and opened a gym. A police officer asked him to speak at a school about overcoming those challenges.
After he spoke, the counselor at the school asked the students how many had a father figure in their lives. Only 3 of the 22 students raised their hands.
That's when he had the idea to create 2nd Chance Mentors.
"We go into the alternative schools where the kids have already started to get in trouble and we explain our past and how we've overcome it. Then we give the kids the opportunity to apply for the program," Shawn said. The students are assigned to mentor. They must be enrolled in school with good attendance and must be passing their classes and have to do 2 hours of community service each month. If they are meeting those requirements, the students get Jordan shoes or any shoe up to a $200 value.
He and his wife launched the non-profit in October and have already seen changes in the students that they serve.
Shawn says the program has been life changing for the students and the mentors.
"I had a kid say to me the other day,'I won't like, I only joined the program because I wanted the shoes. But now I want to go to all of the events. Can I do extra community service?'" Shawn said. "He did above and beyond the community service that he was responsible for and I can't even explain how rewarding it is."
We're proud to call Shawn Serfass and 2nd Chance Mentors this weeks KRLD Difference Makers.
To donate or mentor a student reach out to Shawn Serfass @2ndchancementors on Instagram or click here.
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If you know someone making a difference in the community, send us an email at differencemaker@krld.com.
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