Explore Our Courses

2nd Opportunity’s transformational programs were custom-designed based on a combination of research and lived experience and are taught by mentors who have walked in the same shoes as our audience. Our courses—available in both English and Spanish—provide the life-skills, financial-literacy, and employment-readiness training individuals need to rebound from negative life-changing events and lead a productive and purposeful new life. Read the description of each course below, and enroll today to start your 2nd Opportunity.
Instructors

Meet our team

Augie Ghilarducci

VP of Training & Development
Augie Ghilarducci knows what it's like to need a second opportunity; after serving 12 years in prison for white-collar crimes, he launched a second career empowering others to break the chains of their past and create a positive new future. As part of 2nd Opportunity,  Augie now delivers his life-skills and employment-readiness programming online, via tablets, and in person in jails and prisons, substance abuse recovery centers, and more.

A. Ulises Valdez

Instructor y líder de pensamiento
Cuando Ulises Valdez fue sentenciado a 144 meses de prisión por cargos de conspiración de drogas, inicialmente planeó pasar su tiempo allí afinando su juego de tráfico de drogas. Eso cambió cuando comenzó a escuchar a su compañero de celda, Augie, que estaba enseñando una clase de establecimiento de metas a otros reclusos. Hoy, Ulises está trabajando en su licenciatura mientras también se desempeña como presentador del programa en español de 2nd Opportunity.

Augie's program is essential to our purpose.

Sheriff Ron Hain
Kane County Jail, IL
This program is very helpful and breaks things down to a science. It will also prep you by pointing you in the right direction of the things you want to pursue.
Anibal R.
Program Participant
Kane County Jail, IL
Augie knows personally how important it is for convicted felons to be given the tools, the resources, and the equal opportunities to succeed in life.
Juan M.
Program Participant
Kendall County Jail, IL
I truly believe your program helped me and so many others find hope in an otherwise hopeless situation.
Jacob C.
Program Participant
Kendall County Jail, IL