A Second Chance: Life Lessons Turned Into Living Dreams

Edison Jaquez is the founder of the B-Men and B-YOUtiful mentoring programs for at-risk teen boys and girls. Long before he had the idea to start these programs, Edison was a young man running the streets of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Born in the Dominican Republic and growing up in Stockton Street projects, Edison spent his life fighting against the negative labels that were thrust upon him, graduating college and getting a professional job. At the same time, he struggled with the traps of his neighborhood: fighting, and the easy money of drugs. As the father of a young son, Edison realized he had to do something to change his life when he landed in jail. His story is one of self-awareness, spiritual awakening and gritty motivation. As a mentor, Edison is honest about the life he led and how he turned it all around. His story is especially effective with youth he describes as "the kids nobody knows what to do with". In this book, Edison shares his journey from an impoverished island nation, to inner city projects, to college, to jail, and finally arriving at a sense of peace and accomplishment that empowers him to reach out and give a hand up to others.