Take2

People are often surprised when they find out I’m 34, and I have a 22 year old daughter. I have 5 kids actually – the youngest is still in primary. They don’t really understand what I do for work, all they know is that I work in the tallest building in town. I’ve been working in the tech industry for a few years now. It’s a nice place to work, Monday to Friday. I just got a new role trying to break the developers’ code. You have to make sure the code is strong. It’s like an app on your phone – if one of the buttons isn’t working then the code is broken or there’s a bug. That’s what I test for. I feel a bit bad sometimes because I have to send it back to the developers and they have more work to do. But I try to be decent about it. I’ve always enjoyed problem solving, but when I was younger I didn’t always deal with challenges in the right ways. I was in prison for almost 10 years, and I’m still trying to get used to my life after getting out. I have quite a bit of anxiety. I avoid supermarkets or public places when they’re really busy. I’ll wait until they're quiet. Talking to people on the outside can be hard. I don’t really have anything in common with them. I sit there and listen to them talk about renovating their houses and it’s hard for me to relate when the things I worry about are so different. But I don't get negative about it. I try not to talk too much about my past at work. Better to let it be. I’ve only mentioned it to the receptionist, which helped her understand why I struggle to be in certain situations and why I don’t go to staff events. She thought I didn't like any of them, but she knows now that it has nothing to do with that. Some of my mates are the boys from my old lifestyle. They don’t really understand what I do for work. No sense trying to explain it, even I don't understand it half the time. But the boys, our values don’t really align any more. If I do see them, it's quick. We just meet up somewhere and have a feed. So I guess I don’t really fit in with my old lifestyle and I don’t fit in with the new lifestyle either. But I'm happy with that. I’m just learning. Always learning.

A confronting fourth session of the Harvard Club of Victoria's 2024 Lunch Series on Friday, with Jennifer Jin Ma  talking about second chances for people in incarceration. We discussed the numbness of prison, the challenges of innovating at scale in a NFP, attracting talent challenges for lesser pay, the difficulties of NFP progress markers vs. profit focussed businesses and stress and pathways to crime. Interestingly, Jennifer challenged the room about whether the DEI policies of our organisations included diversity of criminal record. We also raised a small amount for club’s non-profit fellowship (https://lnkd.in/g3qxXRwA), so a good day!     If you want to learn more about these themes, please connect with Jennifer and follow her and Take2's journey. 

🚀 We are so grateful to Roseann Gedye for guiding us through another insightful session 🚀 Roseann took us through the fascinating concept of Flexing for Connecting, where we explored the four key styles of communication and learned how to use the language of each style to connect more effectively. We revisited our commitments from our last session with her, reflecting on what we agreed to work on and see how far we've come. One of the key principles we discussed was reciprocity—the idea that giving can set the stage for others to give back. We practiced this by complimenting each other and considering how we responded to different situations. Roseann also guided us through Flexing for Connecting—the art of moving in and out of communication styles to build stronger, more authentic connections. Roseann has a true gift for creating fun, engaging, and resourceful sessions, and we can't thank her enough for always making time for us. We’re excited to put these new skills into practice! #FlexingForConnecting #CommunicationSkills #Take2

From personal blogs to e-commerce platforms, each type of website has its cost considerations. Take2 Elevate's latest blog post explores the costs of creating a website, providing valuable insights to help you make informed decisions for your online presence. Check out the full insights on Take2 Elevate's blog: https://lnkd.in/dQhkvxge Follow Take2 Elevate for more tips!

🤝 The value of community within the Take2 class 🤝 Life after being involved in the justice system can often feel isolating. You’re part of a group that society tends to exclude, which can create barriers to reintegration and personal growth. We recognise this challenge, and we want to change that narrative. Beyond the coding and life skills we provide, there’s something even more powerful at work—community. Imagine walking into a room where, for the first time in a long time, you’re not judged. Instead, you’re accepted, understood, and surrounded by people who share similar life experiences. That is something that is at the core of our program. It’s more than just a classroom; it’s a space where meaningful friendships are built, and these bonds push our students forward. We see it firsthand—students who may be struggling are encouraged by their peers who are excelling, and it happens naturally, without judgment. It is in the way they remind each other of upcoming assignments or offer each other support during tough times. The shared understanding of where they have been possibly drives them to want to see each other succeed. That kind of care cannot be underestimated—sometimes, it achieves more than we plan for. How has community support shaped your path? Join the conversation and tell us how the connection has impacted your journey. #Take2Community #HolisticEducation #TechForGood

🌟 Meet Aiden Loughlin, Our New Web Development Teacher at the Mary Wade Correctional Centre 🌟 We are thrilled to introduce the newest addition to our Take2 Sydney Team, Aiden Loughlin, who has joined us as a web development teacher for our Mary Wade Correctional Centre class in Sydney. Aiden brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to benefit our students greatly. With a background in Psychology from the University of Sydney, Aiden has had an exciting career that led him through startups in London and Sydney. His passion for technology and self-driven nature shine through in his self-taught coding skills. Aiden's diverse experience includes roles as a Frontend Engineer and Junior Software Engineer in Sydney. His entrepreneurial spirit even led him to create his startup, where he had to wear multiple hats. Aiden's genuine enthusiasm for connecting with others and his appetite for learning sets him apart. These qualities make him an ideal mentor for our students, as he can relate to the journey of skill acquisition. His approach to teaching is sure to be both inspiring and practical, drawing from his real-world experiences in the tech industry. We are confident that Aiden's expertise, approachable nature and passion for education will impact the classroom. Welcome to Take2, Aiden Loughlin! #Take2Sydney #WebDevelopment #MeetTheTeam

🙌 We are always excited to host the amazing Dr Paul Wood 🙌 Dr Paul Wood has been instrumental in Take2’s journey. As an esteemed advisory board member, he shares his incredible story of transformation and mentors some of our students. His journey is a powerful testament to the potential for redemption and the impact of second chances. Here’s a glimpse of some of the lessons that resonated with us during Dr Paul Wood's visit: 👏 Limitations are often rooted in personal experiences, and most people underestimate what their lives could become if they put in consistent effort today. Acting now can break free from those limitations, even when the future seems uncertain. 👏 Realistic optimism is key—being hopeful while staying grounded. Physical and mental barriers exist, but they are not insurmountable. Acknowledging these challenges while believing in progress through consistent effort can help navigate them. 👏 Personal growth and transformation come from showing up daily and doing the work, even when it's tough. Consistency is more important than perfection; minor improvements lead to significant, lasting change. 👏 Breaking free from limiting stories imposed by society and redefining personal identity is important. It's about changing how others see you and embracing a new sense of capability and possibility, regardless of past experiences. Thank you, Dr Wood, for being such a significant part of our journey and showing us the power of second chances. #Take2 #Transformation #RealisticOptimism #Inspiration

We are grateful to Humanitix for their continued support and partnership as we expand into Australia! 🚀 Their latest blog post highlights our tech training program launch at the Mary Wade Correctional Centre in Sydney, a key step in our mission to provide second chances through education. Thank you, Humanitix, for being with us on this journey and helping us make a real difference in the lives of justice-impacted individuals. Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/di2VgtGZ. #SecondChances #Education #Employment #Partnerships #Take2Sydney

👏 Having Sai Panda and Kombe Kampanga visit the hub is always an honour! 👏 Sai and Kombe gave our students a peek behind the curtain of what life at Xero truly looks like. A key takeaway from their visit was their reminder that asking questions is not a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for growth and understanding. Their final advice to our students was simple but powerful: “You belong here”. They encouraged everyone to bring their full personalities into their work, to have fun, and never to stop learning and being curious. We are incredibly grateful to this dynamic duo for their continued support and for being such positive role models for our students. #TechCareers #Xero #GuestSpeakers #Take2 #ContinuousLearning

🙌 From Self-Taught Coder to Tech Leader and Educator 🙌 We were thrilled to have Mikaela Squirchuk share her incredible journey with our students. Starting as a self-taught coder who built websites for friends and family, Mikaela’s path led her to land her first job through her portfolio. She landed a role as an educator at General Assembly and is now making waves at Forte. Our students had tons of questions for Mikaela about her experiences, from learning to code independently to teaching it, as well as the ins and outs of creating websites and web administration. Mikaela’s insights were incredibly valuable and gave our students a real sense of what it takes to succeed in the tech world. Mikaela discussed how aligning financial incentives with social impact can be incredibly rewarding, and this idea resonated with our mission at Take2, reinforcing the importance of making a difference through technology. Mikaela was genuinely excited to see what our students have been working on. She went around the room, visibly impressed by the projects they proudly showcased. It was a fantastic reminder of the talent and creativity within our community. Thank you, Mikaela, for sharing your journey and inspiring us all. Your story is an excellent example of what’s possible with dedication. #Inspiration #CodingJourney #TechEducation #Take2 #Community #SocialImpact