A special thanks to our donors, and that goes out to all of you, big and small. And the kids thank you too. They appreciate the opportunities that you have created from your compassion and generosity.

You know, these kids never committed a crime, yet they've served a sentence their entire childhood — facing stigma, instability, and a fragmented support system.

Our website only grazes the surface of the systemic injustices, emotional trauma, and chronic instability that became their childhood, through no fault of their own. Most of them have dealt with financial stress throughout their youth, and have felt like a burden to the single parent or relative who raised them. Affording everyday life was a challenge, so attending college felt unattainable. The ongoing emotional distress and developmental scars have taken a toll on their self-esteem, and their hopes and dreams are buried under the rubble..STAND A CHANCE is dedicated to changing the trajectory so they don’t follow the same path, but instead, discover a life and a rewarding career to thrive.

Some of these kids grew up hard and fast. They've witnessed ugly situations — and this movie was not even rated PG. In so many ways, the hardships and ongoing disappointments make them remarkably resilient. A few failures that adversely affect most kids just bounce off of this group. Life has made them tough. Build up their self-confidence a little and we have created a tenacious achiever that has incredible managerial skills and fine-tuned people skills. They are done with trying to fit in,; they are ready to show out. They want to succeed. Not only that, they are not plagued with that ugly sense of entitlement that is so prevalent these days. They are so incredibly grateful for every opportunity that comes their way. They are just so happy to know they actually STAND A CHANCE.

College decisions are stressful enough for any high school student, even one living in a Barbie World. Where to apply, scholarship applications, writing the right essay to get admitted, moving out of your home to a strange town, family pressure, peer pressure — do I follow him/her? It's a real dilemma, and everyone tries to tell them what to do, and they are NOT TRYING TO HEAR IT.STAND A CHANCE is determined to make some changes for this demographic of exceptional young people. Some of these kids grew up hard and fast, they have witnessed ugly situations—-and this movie was not even rated PG. In so many ways, these hardships make them more resilient to a few failures. Instill a little confidence in them, and they are tenacious They are done trying to fit in, but they are ready to rise above it all and shin! Not only that, they are so incredibly grateful for each and every opportunity that comes their way. We don’t have to worry about self-entitlement issues up in here. They are just so happy to know they actually STAND A CHANCE.

Sue Ann Staton

Founder & Director

STAND A CHANCE