In March 2019, Terrence Platts walked through the doors of Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program in Jacksonville with determination, but like many returning citizens, he also carried uncertainty about what would come next.
That preparation made all the difference.
“When I got out, I was able to immediately hit the ground running,” Terrence shared.
Upon his release, Terrence entered the Ready4Work program in Jacksonville, where he gained access to case management, mental health services, and employment support. Through the program’s three-week career development course, he learned how to navigate the job search process with confidence.
“The most difficult part of reentry is that initial period of uncertainty and doubt. Not knowing if you’d get a job or who would give you one,” he said. “That period was something I was worried about, but it was totally wiped out by the time I spent at Operation New Hope.”
Through hands-on guidance, Terrence learned how to complete job applications, prepare for interviews, and present himself professionally. With support from staff, he secured his first full-time job in shipping and receiving shortly after graduating in April 2019. Less than a year later, he was promoted to a supervisory role, eventually managing a warehouse for four years.
Terrence’s journey didn’t stop there. In 2024, he received a call from Operation New Hope staff about an opportunity to attend Bluewater Maritime School and pursue Merchant Mariner training. Although he had little prior experience in the field, he took the leap.
“It ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life,” he said.
After completing six weeks of night classes while still working full-time, Terrence graduated and launched a new career path. Today, he works as a full-time merchant seaman and has advanced to the role of U.S. Coast Guard certified able-bodied seaman.
Reflecting on his journey, Terrence credits both his family and Operation New Hope for helping him succeed.
“The support system that I had was there for me starting from when I was still incarcerated,” he shared. “They made sure I only felt incarcerated physically, but not spiritually or emotionally.”
Over the years, his mindset has shifted dramatically. “I don’t have that uncertainty or doubt now. I’ve put in the work. I have valuable experience,” he said. “Before, it was easy for people to deny me opportunities. Now, it’s not so easy because of what I’ve accomplished.”
Even seven years after graduating, Terrence remains connected to the Operation New Hope team. “I still have relationships with the staff as if I’m still a student. They make me feel cared for.”
For Terrence, Second Chance Month in April is deeply personal.
“To me, a second chance means another opportunity to get it right,” he said. “You need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.”
He emphasizes that having the right support system can make all the difference. For Terrence, that meant both emotional and practical support, including a place to stay with his grandmother immediately upon release until he was able to secure his first apartment. Stable housing, he notes, is a critical step toward long-term success.
“In my second chance, I had people who believed in me, loved me, and wanted to see me do well. Once you come home and have people working on your behalf, you have to take advantage of that.”
Today, Terrence continues to build a life defined by stability, growth, and purpose. He has earned his driver’s license, purchased his first car, completed additional education, and recently moved into a new home.
Looking to the future, he hopes to give back by raising awareness about the organization that helped change his life.
“I truly would not be as far as I am today without Operation New Hope,” he said. “I want others to know what’s out there for them and that this organization is for real.”
