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Former participant credits council‑backed second‑chance program with helping him find work
Summary
A speaker who said he benefited from a city second‑chance program described getting a job and thanked Council member Tarsha Jackson and others for support; council members praised the program’s effects.
A man who said he received help from a city second‑chance program told the Houston City Council on May 13 that the opportunity had changed his life and led to full‑time employment.
"Not long ago, I was in a place where hope felt distant... Thanks to council member Jackson and support of the incredible programs that our city provides, I was given a second chance," said Edward Agard, who spoke during public comment. Agard said he now has a job with benefits and will work with Collective Action for Youth as a credible messenger.
Council members praised his success. Council member Tarsha Jackson thanked Agard for his work in the neighborhood and described him as a leader on a neighborhood hot‑team. Council member Kamen said, "We believe in you and come back and update us, okay?" Several other council members thanked Agard for showing how the program works in practice.
No formal council action or motion was recorded; council members indicated continued support for second‑chance programming and asked the speaker to stay in touch with staff.
