From Joe Vigil
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LAS VEGAS (KVVU) – Life on the street was tough for Scott Mitchell.
“When you are on the street, you live a miserable existence. And you’re either too hot, too cold, too sad, too angry, ”said Mitchell.
Mitchell lived at the intersection of Owens Avenue and Main Streets in Las Vegas for about four years. He said he used meth to escape the harshness of homelessness. He ended up in jail after stealing a car to keep warm on a cold February day.
“There was an incident of great violence about 50 yards in front of me and someone was killed,” Mitchell said. “That was the unique moment in my opinion when ‘Scott, you have to make some better decisions.'”
One of those better decisions was to enroll in the Chosen for Success vocational training program. It is a not-for-profit organization that provides four days of professional training and other support, including “Emotional Intelligence” classes to help participants deal with past trauma and process their emotions.
“And when we combine the two, not only can they get a job, they can keep it,” said Rodney Taylor, executive director of Chosen for Success.
Vocational training also includes job placement, including post-graduate recruitment fairs. People also receive mentoring, and the program will follow graduates for a year.
“I would say that about 40% of our employees are similar to Scott. We have had about 100 people so far who have gone through our program with incredible success, ”said Rodney Tayor.
Taylor says that approximately 80% of people who go through the program find a job in the first two weeks after graduation.
Through some program networking, Mitchell got an interview at the Sparrow and Wolf restaurant. Managing Partner John Anthony said Mitchell not only read about the restaurant, but also brought those responsible up to date, researched about the food, asked about ingredients and even the inspiration behind the food.
“I’ve interviewed a manager for the past three months and I can tell you 90% of them haven’t done that much research,” said Anthony.
Anthony said the team leaders are fully aware of Mitchell’s criminal history.
“I’ve always had trouble with the question, ‘Have you ever been convicted of a crime’ on an application form. Because here too I think that everyone deserves the opportunity to show who they are right now and not necessarily where they come from, ”said Anthony.
“God bless him, he gave me an opportunity. It is very difficult for felons to get opportunities for sustainable paid jobs, ”said Mitchell.
Anthony said he hopes other food and beverage stores will come forward and see the program as a viable resource.
“There is a huge population that wants to work. We just have to be able to forgive and then move on, ”said Anthony.
Taylor said program participants are supported by approximately 50 volunteers, 13 other nonprofits, and 20 corporate partners. He said that while Chosen for Success is processing donations, Taylor hopes to receive grants to help more people succeed.
Mitchell is now in a sober unit but said he would go in March and save on rent. He started a GoFundMe to find accommodation. He said he was proud of himself and grateful for Chosen for Success and Sparrow and Wolf.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself, to free myself from many, many years of bad decisions. But I’m trying to make the right decisions now, ”said Mitchell.
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