Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide alternative outlets for the youth to participate in a productive environment. We provide an after school STEM program, workshops, community service involvements, career training and forum platforms for our staff members through interaction with our selected youth. PROJECT 2ND CHANCE is "A Torchlight For The Youth" and aims to decrease the involvement with negative at risk environments. We will weed out the youth that are willing versus those who are not willing.
Larry Rivera's Bio (Director)
Born February 13, 1973 as Larry Thomas Russell, Jr. in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Larry Rivera, is a motivational speaker, mentor, and workshop developer for " PROJECT 2ND CHANCE: A Torchlight For The Youth. "His parents separated when he was 4 years old, sending him through a court system he would one day resent. At 7 years old his biological father, an Army Ranger, made a difficult decision to step out of Larry's life, leaving him to another father figure, Jose Rivera, who he calls "Pops" today. By the time he was 15 years old, Larry Rivera accomplished winning a silver medal, a bronze medal and two gold medals in the AAU and USTU Junior Olympics, landing him the invitation to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Graduating out the 11th Grade in 1990, Larry Rivera attended UNC-Pembroke and UNC-Greensboro with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. While in college he accepted an offer he now deems as a downturn in his life. This adverse decison lead him to Federal Prison with a 10 year, 3 month sentence. After serving over 9 years of his Federal Prison Sentence, Larry Rivera hasn't looked back. While incarcerated he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude at Shaw University and mentored fellow inmates. At the Federal Correctional Institute in Memphis, TN, Larry Rivera encountered Jesse Jackson, Sr. and was interviewed by the local newspaper pertaining to the conversation aside from the podium. While serving prison time at the Federal Correctional Institute in Machester, Ky, Larry Rivera received a personal visit from Civil Rights Leader and mentor to Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
Since being released from Federal Prison, Larry Rivera has focused his life on being an effective public servant, father, mentor and motivational speaker to the youth and ex-felons.
He owned a small car dealership named after the youth, A.N.G. Auto Sales, Inc, (A New Generation). It was a successful business in his community, but due to the 2008 recession, he decided to close the business. He worked on the red carpet with Russell Simmon's and Dr. Benjamin Chavis's "Hip Hop Summit" as a reporter for Hip Hop World Order in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. He brought NASA Pioneer Katherine G. Johnson to meet the student body at the historical E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, NC, March 3, 2010. This lead to the Mayor of Fayettteville declaring March 3rd Katherine G. Johnson Day. He was the Chairman of the first committee to host the dedication ceremony of The Katherine G. Johnson STEM Institute at Alpha Academy Charter School.
Today, he continues to lecture and mentor students in middle schools and high schools across the U.S. He is the Co-Founder along with his wife of "Torchlight Summer Camp." It's a succesfull summer camp whithin his community. Also, he is the Co-Founder of Bright Young Minds Academy and "Torchlight After School Program." Larry Rivera's delivery, style and approach with sharing his life story is impressive, effective and electrifying. His ability to relate with children from various backgrounds is magical. He states that he is a "fallen star" rising into his divine purpose within the Universe. Captivating the minds of the youth and directing them to a more productive, rewarding and moral life, Larry Rivera refuses to give in to the reminding statistics that our youth are falling drastically behind thier world counterparts. Larry Rivera is married to former High School and Middle School certified science teacher, Yolunda Rivera. Today she is the Director and owner of Bright Young Minds Academy. They have five beautiful children they home school together.
Project 2nd Chance in Washington DC
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A.N.G. Productions