Breanna Robinson for Cook County Second Chance Month

Speaker: Breanna Robinson

Breanna Robinson: Hi, my name is Brianna. I'm 27 years old. I became just as impacted about two years ago. Um, after being pulled over for suspended plates and then my car was searched for the supposed smell of marijuana. So there began my journey into being just as impacted.

Breanna Robinson: Uh being just as impacted, changed my life in quite a few different ways. Um, you know, during the time that that was going on, I lost my job. Um I almost lost my car in my apartment due to all of this and um I wasn't even able to apply for different jobs because of things that were pending. So it, you know, kind of turned everything upside down for quite a while, you know, thank goodness I was able to change things around and, you know, due to the Legacy program, I was able to see things a different way, but it negatively impacted me in a lot of ways um before things were able to turn around. But now it's positive and I have connections that I never would have been able to make. Um, had this not occurred.

Breanna Robinson: Um The Legacy program changed things for me in so many different ways. Um I kind of thought things were over after getting arrested, you know, having things on my background, but it helped me be able to look into the things that are on my background, see about how I can get those things corrected. Um So now I have a more positive outlook. I have resources and connections that I never would have been able to have without the Legacy program um changing my outlook and my view. Um It put me in touch with people that I never would have been in the same room as. Um so it changed my life just, you know, so much for the better. I'm so grateful for it. Um And the way that she's able to put this program together, it was just absolutely life changing and, you know, um makes me grateful that everything worked out the way that it did honestly. Um Yeah, so the Legacy program was able to get me a job. I'm now working again um doing something that I love. Um And yeah, it put me in touch. I have different connections, you know, taking different classes. So the Legacy Program did a lot of great things for me.

Breanna Robinson: Since the Legacy program, I have gone on to get full time employment um through due to my connections. Um and I have been thriving in that environment. So I've been able to do that, stay secure, you know, with my vehicle and my apartment. So I've been able to stay on top of things, um, you know, constantly moving up at my job, you know, being able to do different things. So I've been able to accomplish a lot since then, back on my feet just ultimately, you know, just looking at life in a whole different light.

Breanna Robinson: That just because you've been just as impacted now. Um doesn't mean it's always gonna be negative or bad that there are so many different resources and so many different people and places and things out there to help you that it's not the end of the world, it may seem like it at the moment and things may seem to be coming from left and right, but it is absolute not the end. It's kinda up to you to take that initiative and know that you can do and achieve different things. You gotta put yourself in rooms and places that you never thought you'd be, you gotta be able to open up your mind and not say that, hey, just because I'm just as impacted, I'm limited to certain things. You are absolutely not limited to anything. I'm not limited to anything I can do anything that I put my mind to. And just because I've been just as impacted, it's now just a part of my story, it's nothing negative and I do still have to navigate certain things differently. But ultimately, it's all life lessons and I'm grateful for where I've been able to place myself and the things that I've been able to accomplish since then.