Our Story

 

Second Chance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance. We deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the public for reuse at our more than 200,000 square foot retail center. With the revenue generated, we provide job training and workforce development for those with various employment obstacles in the Baltimore region.

From its inception, Second Chance has been an innovative social enterprise with a true triple-bottom-line focus. That means we strive to make sure everything we do is:

  • environmentally sound,
  • socially responsible, and
  • financially viable.

Our commitment to sustainable practices in these three realms is at the foundation of our value system. From these values rise multiple opportunities, including vocational training and marketable skill development, provision of livable wages, personal dignity, broad access to valuable materials, architectural preservation, reduced recidivism, family and community stabilization, and reduced resource consumption and landfill deposits. It’s win-win-win that’s hard not to like!

While the green leaf in our logo represents our environmental emphasis, the Greco column speaks to the legacy of Second Chance. Simply put, we are committed to preserving our collective architectural heritage. Some people have even described us as “Part Home Depot, Part History Depot" for this very reason! We are among the nation’s most experienced and best equipped experts in reclaiming building assets, and we’re keen to use those skills to keep valuable historical elements out the landfill and around to reuse and enjoy. 

MISSION

Putting all that together, you can see why the Second Chance mission has always been:

  • to retrain and create employment for displaced and unemployed workers;
  • to reclaim building material to reduce environmental harm and demolition debris in burgeoning landfills; and
  • to renew both people and products to useful, purposeful life.

As a result, Second Chance provides jobs and a green collar workforce, protects the natural environment, and preserves people and our rich architectural heritage.

HISTORY

Second Chance was founded in 2001 to develop solutions to sustainable employment and environmental issues. In 2003, a training and employment program was created to address the pressing needs of Baltimore City residents who were facing multiple challenges to employment, good wages, and progressive skills.

Today, Second Chance trains and hires unemployed individuals in deconstruction, salvage, warehousing, retail, operations, transportation and customer service. We work with local and regional architects, builders, developers, and property owners to identify residential and commercial buildings that are entering the demolition phase. Upon donation of the structure to us to use as a “living classroom” in our training, which generates tax advantages for the property owner, we remove all reusable and recyclable elements through deconstruction for waste diversion and reuse by consumers.

Building upon this exciting foundation, Second Chance is positioned better than ever to expand even more in the days ahead. To join in and further this development, consider supporting us today. Together, we can continue to do great things in Baltimore and beyond!