Second Chances with Jim McGreevey

Thank you, Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer at Clara Maass Medical Center. Clara Maass Medical Center Seton Hall University, for sharing healthcare views as to diagnostics & treatment of reentry participants at LeFrak Wellness Center.

Pamela Valera, PhD, MSW, ACSW, NCTTP, Assistant Professor Rutgers, serves with Essex Correctional Task Force. Dr. Valera co-authored Medical Subcommittee Report with Dr. Pernell, focusing upon improving medical & behavioral diagnostics and treatment.

Reverend Raúl Ruiz, President, New Jersey Latino Pastors & Ministries, advocates for increased training & employment opportunities, medical care, & addiction treatment for court-involved persons. Pastor Ruiz is thoughtful advocate in support of spirituality in recovery.

Dr. Chris Pernell, Princeton, Duke Medical, Columbia Public Health, physician & public health expert, has provided invaluable guidance & direction for the Essex CCFC Task Force during Covid-19; national leader for medical & behavioral health.

Dr. Adam Sagot of Hackensack Meridian Health is an accomplished psychiatrist with a long history of service to the veterans community. He knows veteran's trauma. NJRC is blessed to work with him, medical & behavioral experts, to provide program participants with best possible healthcare.

Craig Cohen is a premier trainer of Apple technologies, who trained NJRC program participants with introductory Apple technology and applications. A major strength of Apple is the "thinking" behind the design and implementation of Apple technology. Persons can grow in their understanding of the applications and uses of Apple devices and technology to be of greater use in their workplace and at home. NJRC is deeply indebted to Mr. Cohen for having crossed the Hudson river from Brooklyn to teach and educate our program participants.

Charles Little has struggled with court involvement and New Jersey prison. The miracle of Charles' faith is his commitment to "do the next right thing." Charles has rebuilt his life, secured employment, received promotions, been downsized, & got back up again. He is a NJRC Ambassador!

Keisha Williams is a gifted young woman, who is blessed with a tremendous and loving family, a great faith, and a desire to serve. Keisha's family has been supportive throughout her journey, a source of strength. Keisha's witness and her personal love of service is a gift.

The U.S. Marines played a critical role in cleaning up the damage from the 2011 tsunami and nuclear accident and were exposed to substantial radiation. Darren Chambers was a local New Jersey Marine, who served this nation and now has cancer due to his exposure to radiation from over 10 years ago. Darren received an Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge and, working with NJRC, he is appealing his discharge classification while he struggles to finance his cancer treatment.

Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver has served in municipal government, county government, the State Legislature, and now Executive Branch. The Lt. Governor has always had a sense of compassion and commitment to those needing a Second Chance. As Commissioner of DCA during the pandemic, she lifted housing restrictions to enable NJRC to house, care, and feed persons in houses of worship.

First Lady Tammy Murphy shares stories of her youth and upbringing, her parents' wartime marriage, her and Governor Murphy's commitment to their children, and her passion to address the disparities in maternal and infant healthcare to ensure NJ becomes the safest place to give birth & to raise a family.

Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) has had an All-American experience. His devoted mother sacrificed and raised Craig in the "working class" community of South Amboy. Learning the right lessons of hard work, self-reliance, and persistence, Speaker Coughlin embodies good virtues. His best decision was marrying my friend Tish.

Senator Joe Cryan comes from a distinguished Irish-American family, who have served in government at local, county, and state levels. Senator Cryan shares stories from his youth, family, and government service. Joe fights for working families.

Tonight, at 7 pm, we will rebroadcast Second Chances interview with my Dad. My Father taught us the lessons of service, patriotism, and community. And, on this Memorial Day weekend, I share the President's citation of September 24, 1945, which accompanied the posthumous Navy Cross presentation to my Father's brother, my namesake. "The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant James E. McGreevey (MCSN: 406813), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader of an Engineer Platoon of Company C, Fourth Engineer Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the initial assault operations on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945." https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8126

The tragedy of Daniel Keegan's exemplary service to nation & Army and death is that we failed him. Grappling with addiction in response to trauma of deaths of fellow soldiers, Daniel struggled to secure needed psyche & addiction treatment. Come and listen to his Mother.

Reverend Gloria Walton is a reentry apostle: Minister at Bethesda Baptist Church, Jersey City, Gloria leads Most Excellent Way. Gloria offers social services, counseling, & supportive housing. NJRC partners with Most Excellent Way.

Lawrence Lustberg, Director, Commercial & Criminal Litigation, Gibbons P.C., is a premiere nationally respected lawyer. Larry, who serves on the NJRC Board, shares his journey from a young boy in Paramus to Harvard Law School to arguments before the NJ Supreme Court, which have changed NJ.

Will Sheehan, Bayonne native, Annapolis graduate, Navy Intelligence, IAVA member, Chair, NJRC Veterans Task Force, shares his reflections of life at U.S. Naval Academy, in the Navy, & struggles of veterans, who are discharged with "other than honorable" status.

One of the most powerful and grace filled persons is Sabrina Fojo, who tragically lost her husband to suicide. Bruno, her husband, proudly served this nation in uniform, while grappling with the challenges of trauma. 8,000 NJ veterans received "less than honorable discharge," and were often left with no services.

Sister Norma is face of goodness & redemption. Sister serves as Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Rio Grande Valley, & works with immigrant families who are crossing the border. Sister serves 800+ persons daily. Listen to Pope Francis's favorite nun.

Join us and hear from the informed "thought leader" regarding addiction psychiatry. Dr. Levounis is honors graduate, Stanford University, undergraduate & School of Medicine; University of Pennsylvania, trained in psychiatry at Columbia University, then NIH & Betty Ford Scholar.

Dominic Dupont grew up in tough Brooklyn neighborhood, served two decades in prison, & blessed with loving mother & uncle, Michael K. Williams. Join us, as we talk about life, prison, & Michael's vision for prison reform. NJRC is dedicating Newark Reentry site to Michael.

Thank you Calvin for sharing your story from incarceration at 14 years to 38 years of prison to healthy living today. NJRC has been a platform for Calvin to transform his life, his health, & his work. NJRC has been, in Calvin's words, "like a rebirth."

Please join us, and listen to Second Chances with the indomitable Federal District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, her upbringing in JC, Rutgers, Seton Hall Law School, federal reentry, and the promise of Second Chances.

Join me and Linda Baraka on Second Chances with Jim McGreevey this Sunday. Linda chairs Reentry Employment Committee providing women mentoring with Wings for Growth, and women reentry friendly businesses including AeroFarms, UPS, ShopRite, and professional employment referrals with Jheryn Kenney of LinkedIn.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney is a working-class warrior. Listen to his story, our story. He ensured that NJRC was connected to addiction treatment, medical, legal, and housing. This week, we opened a 25,000 square foot Training Center. Steve knows apprenticeship, training, and employment. He's putting New Jersey back to work. Listen Sunday at 7pm.

Please join Governor Phil Murphy and I, as he shares his vision, challenges of COVID, and executive decision making. The Governor highlights numerous legislative accomplishments, including expungements, probation parole voting, and support for reentry.

Second Chances with Jim McGreevey #01 On the first episode, enjoy stories from my father, Jack McGreevey, USMC, about growing up in Jersey City, the United States Marine Corps, and the power of Second Chances.