Second Chance Employment Services (SCES) is the first organization in the United States to help women who have experienced domestic violence and human trafficking find financial independence through meaningful employment.
Please visit their website at www.scesnet.org, and if you have any questions at all, they can be reached at (202)331-7451.
Dr. Ludy Green was interviewed on December 3rd on News Channel 8 Washington Business Tonight. Dr. Green speaks to the victims of domestic violence that Second Chance Employment Services has placed, even in this down economy in which the workload has nearly tripled. Second Chance has recently placed women in employment positions with banks and hospitals. Additionally Second Chance has had to take on more intervention roles beyond employment services to fully rehabilitate a victim, such as child care, counselors, plastic surgeons, and legal assistance. Dr. Green thanks the community for their help in supporting these women to start a second chance in life. Dr. Green recently returned from Syria and Jordon to share her non-profit structure.
GALA HELPS ABUSED WOMEN GAIN MEANINGFUL JOBS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM IN RECESSION
Economic downturn spurs increase in domestic abuse nationally and in D.C. area
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2009—Pamela Johnson’s husband called her a leach, controlled their finances and forced her to beg for grocery money. He even refused her money for a doctor when their son fell ill. Pamela finally escaped, but lived in poverty with her three children. Today she’s a successful accountant thanks to career placement from Second Chance Employment Services.
Johnson’s life changed several years ago. But often-violent domestic abuse of vulnerable women like her is increasing around the U.S.—and the D.C. area—during today’s recession. To help abused women secure life-changing careers and economic independence, Second Chance Employment Services held the “Last Kiss of Summer” charity gala September 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.
The keynote speaker was activist and actress Louise Stratten. Her sister—actress and Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten—died a terrifying death that shocked the nation when Dorothy’s controlling husband tortured, shot and killed her.
Founded by Dr. Ludy Green in 1991, Second Chance is America’s only private nonprofit agency focusing on helping abused women from around the U.S. gain meaningful positions with full health benefits. Quality jobs that create financial independence, experts agree, form the lifeline that allows victimized women to permanently escape the gravitational pull of abuse. More than 600 women have found career-track positions through Second Chance.
The “Last Kiss” gala helped Second Chance continue providing free support, including: meaningful jobs via Second Chance’s corporate partners and other networks…job training…resume-writing and interviewing skills…translation services…business apparel. Second Chance even provides free dental work, cosmetic surgery and psychological counseling for women who were severely beaten and traumatized.
Abuse of women by husbands, live-in partners and boyfriends is an ongoing societal ill, but has increased in many areas of the U.S. during this recession, experts say.
Several Washington-area agencies also report recent increases—making domestic abuse of women a local recession-related issue.
Women from high-income suburban households to low-income urban minority families are victimized. Some women are even prisoners of human trafficking.
Abused women often have few jobs skills and have little or no money to build new lives. Even women with impressive career backgrounds and advanced degrees may lack the confidence to leave often-violent relationships.
With many government social-service agencies slashing budgets in this recession, private nonprofits such as Second Chance play a vital and growing role in helping at-risk women gain meaningful jobs that allow them to lead independent, abuse-free lives.
An Enchanting evening of dining and dancing to benefit Second Chance Employment Services. "The only employment placement agency in the United States for domestic violence victims"
Dr. Ludy Green (left) President Michelle Bachelet of Chile (right)
Regina Varolli FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE regina@varolli.com May 27, 2009 (202) 331 7451
DR. LUDY GREEN SERVES AS DELEGATE TO THE GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
Santiago, Chile: Having successfully served as the United States delegate to the 2008 Global Summit of Women in Vietnam, Dr. Ludy Green was invited by event organizers to participate in the 2009 Summit in Santiago, Chile. The conference provided Dr. Green with the amazing opportunity to discuss Second Chance Employment Services and the importance of financial independence for victims of violence with President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, the country's first ever female President.
Dr. Green was invited to participate in the 2009 Summit as a result of the resounding impact she made at last year's Summit in Vietnam, as well as the widespread attention that Second Chance has gained as the only program emphasizing employment as the crucial step in the financial empowerment of at-risk women. Dr. Green's innovative organization was heralded by Summit organizers and attendees as a model that can and should be reproduced around the globe.
This year's conference, Setting New Paradigms for Business and Political Leadership, brought together an impressive group of business leaders, activists, Presidents and Vice Presidents to discuss the advancement of women in business and politics. In addition to her meeting with the first female President of Chile, Dr. Green was able to discuss Second Chance’s renowned model with other women leaders like the Secretary of Education of Saudi Arabia, Norah Abdullah Al-Faiz, and the Minister of the National Women's Service of Chile, Laura Albornoz.
"One of the biggest benefits of attending the 2009 Summit was the opportunity to discuss the work of Second Chance, the financial empowerment of women, and the global epidemic of domestic violence with influential women leaders from around the world." --Dr. Ludy Green.
Second Chance Employment Services promotes financial security for at-risk women and their dependents through comprehensive employment placement services and has placed over 500 women in meaningful, career-track positions with full health benefits. For more information on Second Chance, visit http://www.scesnet.org/
Dr. Ludy Green was introduced to the luncheon attendees by Kathy Horak Smith. Dr. Green recounted her work as President of Second Chance Employment Services in providing employment for victims of domestic violence. She relayed the many years of her membership with AAUW and the significance this organization has brought to Dr. Ludy Green in starting her organization, Second Chance.
Dr. Green has held many leadership positions in AAUW which she credited as great and invaluable experiences. The attendees participated in discussions regarding the importance of education for victims of domestic to gain meaningful employment opportunities. Basic training is provided in many formats to women seeking to gain independence through the workforce. Second Chance Employment Services helps to direct victims to locations of training from English classes to computer classes. The luncheon participants recounted the importance of education and self reliance for women which compliment the mission and services of Second Chance Employment Services.
Claire Schwab Says: March 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 am Dr. Ludy Green and her cause, Second Chance Emloyment Services, is well deserving of this award and a prime example of leadership for your organization. She has made such a difference in so many people’s lives and has made this world a better place for women trying to make a better life for themselves.
Thank you to everyone who voted online for Second Chance Employment Services to receive this outstanding award. Through your generosity and help Second Chance grows stronger in helping women support their families in having a second chance in gaining financial independence through employment. Thank you!
I loved you once But look at you now You're in somebody else's bed I loved you once So I don't know how You're with a man like that You'd be better off dead He don't care He don't treat you right It's not fair I still want you at night Can't you see you made a mistake girl He treats you like dirt and I hate it
Na nanananana lady look at your hands You got two fat children and a drunken man Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like it
Ma ma ma ma baby look at your hands You should have been my woman when you had the chance Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life now
He hits you once He hits you twice He don't care about the blood on his hands But that's OK 'Cause it's his wife"It's the only she understands" he says
Say you're gonna leave him Say you're gonna try But you're only talking Oh I know you think I'm a young boy But I'm good and I think we can make it
Na nanananana lady look at your hands You've got two fat children and a drunken man Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like it
Ma ma ma ma baby look at your hands You should have been my woman when you had the chance Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life Betcha don't, betcha don't, betcha don't like your life now (Don't like your guy now)
Well excuse me baby but it's making me mad The only one you want is the only one you'll never have it's so sad The only one you'll never have It's too bad Only one you'll never have
Nananananana lady look at your hands You've got two fat children and a drunken man And I bet you don't like your life now...
Here are tragic highlights from the show Wife Swap found on YouTube portraying the Stevens-Fowler and Long family. Abuse takes place in many forms regardless of socioeconomic background. Steven Fowler attempts to subjugate and demean Gayla Long through verbal and emotional abuse in addition to alienating his children from her.
From Poverty to Providing for Her Family - One Second Chance Client Shares Her Story
by Pamela Johnson
When I first married, my life was wonderful. My husband and I were blissfully happy, and I had a great career as an accountant. We wanted children, but we wanted to wait until the right time. Both my husband and I wanted a stay at-home parent while the kids were young, which meant I would take a break in my career to raise our family. Things changed when our first child arrived. When I was no longer contributing a paycheck, my husband mysteriously began holding this against me. He started calling me a “leech” and a “liability.” Despite these signs of abuse, we had another child, and I continued to stay home. I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I knew I was a good mother, and I hoped he would change. So I focused on the love of my children.
Ignoring the abuse didn’t make it stop. After our second child, I was living with a man who controlled my every move. He controlled our money, and I had to beg to buy groceries or clothes for the children. I no longer asked for anything for myself. By the time our third child arrived, I knew I was living with domestic abuse—emotional, financial, and physical. I had lost all independence, and my livelihood—and that of my children—was in the hands of a man who acted like he despised me. I wanted to leave, but with no job or savings—and with everything in my husband’s name—I couldn’t see a way out that didn’t mean poverty. I remained a prisoner.
Then one day my son fell ill. He was running a fever and needed medical attention. I went to my husband and asked for the money to go to a doctor. He refused. I begged him. He still refused. I took my son to the doctor anyway, only to discover I didn’t even have the $10 copay for the visit. Sitting in that doctor’s waiting room, I knew it was time to leave. Before Second Chance, I was living in poverty with three children to support.
Today, I’m an accountant again! Of all that Second Chance did to help me rebuild my life, for me, the most important was that they provided the money to pay a deposit for day-care. They got me a job, but with no daycare, and no money to pay the deposit, I couldn’t work. It was a Catch-22, but Second Chance paid the deposit, making it possible for me to support my kids. My ability to provide for my three children means everything to me. I can give to my family, save for the future, and never worry about being a victim. I want all of you to know that I truly could not have accomplished this without Second Chance. I ask from my heart, and from the hearts of my children, please continue your support for their work. Financial independence is the key to never going back to abuse, and Second Chance gives all their clients that key!
