On February 5, 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Osu Correctional Center to teach a group of young offenders how to make bleach, a simple but powerful skill with real-world applications. As we carefully measured ingredients and followed each step, I realized this was more than just making a cleaning solution. It was about restoration, rewriting stories, and offering a second chance.
From the moment we started, I was struck by the energy in the room. These young girls were eager, full of questions—not just about bleach, but about life itself. They asked me about careers, about dreams, about possibilities beyond the walls surrounding them. It shattered every stereotype. They were not lost causes. They were young girls searching for renewal.
Then came the moment that changed everything. A girl, her hands still damp from mixing the solution, looked up and said, “I am a newer version of myself.” Her words carried weight beyond the bleach we had made—they embodied transformation. I immediately thought of 2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the
new has come!”
That day, I realized the importance of redefining our perceptions of ex-prisoners. These young girls are not bound by their past; they are waiting for a future. But they cannot do it alone. As we filled bottles, we also filled hearts with hope, with purpose, with the belief that change is possible. We encouraged them to look beyond their past mistakes and to embrace the possibility of contributing positively to their communities.
Redemption is not a myth. It is a choice society must be willing to extend. This experience opened my eyes to a powerful truth: we all make mistakes, but we all deserve a second chance. If we invest in skills, mentorship, and support, we can break cycles, minimize recidivism rates, and grant these individuals a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives. On February 5, 2025, I played a small role in change, but change, no matter how small, matters. The young girls at Osu Correctional Center reminded me that renewal is possible, that society must believe in transformation and embrace those willing to change. Together, we can reduce recidivism. Together, we can rewrite futures. Let’s not just talk about second chances—let’s create them.
