L–R: Wes Brooks, Paula Brahan, Dickie Scruggs, Zach Scruggs.
President Paula Brahan presided over the meeting. Thanks to Ryan Kelly who gave the invocation and to Maura McLaughlin who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks to Colby Sappington for serving as our greeter today.
Paula thanked those who assisted with today’s meeting. Bob Brahan was a guest of Paula Brahan and James Mitchell’s guest was Alton Pierce. Melissa Phelps was a guest of Maura McLaughlin. Sean Farrell was a guest of Phillip Carter and Bill McLeod brought along Marie Speed.
David Hayhurst is today’s 5 card draw winner.
Wes Brooks then introduced Zach Scruggs who then introduced his father, Dickie Scruggs.
While serving his prison term Mr. Scruggs was asked to teach GED classes to fellow inmates. The inmate population has a median 6th-grade reading level. Only one in 10 can read at the high school level. Teaching the inmates to successfully pass the GED became a challenge for Scruggs and he says provided him with a second chance.
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After serving his sentence, Mr. Scruggs established 2nd Chance Mississippi—a non-profit foundation that raises funds to help adults who are participating in workforce development programs throughout the state. Because the Community Colleges are in charge of adult education and skill training for workforce development, Second Chance Mississippi is designed to support their efforts.
The GED curriculum was changed in 2014. Prior to those changes, 8,000 Mississippians received their GED each year. In 2014 that number dropped to 800. It is beginning to increase but the process is a difficult one for adults who are trying to work or raise a family and take the required coursework.
Mr. Scruggs reports that 500,000 Mississippians do not have a high school diploma. That number is the same number of Mississippians who are attending public school throughout the state. A total of 14,000 high school students drop out every year in Mississippi. That represents 77 dropouts for every school day throughout the year. The Mississippi workforce participation rate is the second lowest in the nation at 56%.
Scruggs notes that he and many other Mississippians are tired of these kinds of statistics that continue to drag our state and our state’s economy down.
Scruggs noted that many of those who are attending these GED or skill development classes are often just one flat tire away from having to drop out. Second Chance Mississippi brings churches and civic-minded organizations together with their local Community Colleges and provides needed assistance to keep the students stay in class. There are little or no funds available to meet this need other than through the local communities.
Scruggs then introduced Dr. Adam Breerwood a Pearl River Community College representative who encouraged our members to meet and talk with community college representatives about ways we can help.
If you are interested in offering assistance please contact Dr. Scott Alsobrooks at salsobrooks@prcc.edu.
To learn more about Second Chance Mississippi visit them at secondchancems.com or call 601-265-1895. You can also follow them on Twitter @2ndChanceMs or like them on Facebook at Second Chance Mississippi.