The Team
Trelise Baker
Founder & President
PASSION: I’m a true believer of not waiting around for someone to come to my rescue. I live by being the change that’s needed in my own community before complaining about what needs to be done. Yes, mistakes have been made but we must rise and work towards a better future for our community and most importantly ourselves. My passion for building this non-profit is based on my own experience which led me to build a different approach in helping ladies that have faced the same similar setbacks I have by implementing some of the tools that have helped me and others.
STATEMENT: Having a haven in my community was important to me. Growing up in Louisiana has taught me the most valuable lesson; opportunities aren’t given, they’re their taken. Though I was inexperienced, but I was determined. I did my research, volunteered, and establish my business plan. Collaboration with other brave and big-hearted colleagues of mine birthed 2nd Chance Living PMI. Through faith, determination, and prayer every intricate piece of “PMI” came together. I set out to make changes in my own community, but I learned through praying, planning, and hard work that anything is possible. I value believing that the impossible can be possible. Our biggest battle is within ourselves.
Brishawna Silby
Cofounder and COO
STATEMENT:I believe that we all have a chapter of our lives that we wish we would have written in pencil, instead of pen. Well that’s what Second Living: Project Mass Incarceration offers to females across the state; a second chance! Like many, I myself have fallen short to the justice system but I was blessed enough to get another chance. Here at Second Chance Living we understand that life sometimes does not go according to plan. No matter if it’s your 2nd, 3rd or 4th chance; WE ARE HERE TO HELP. We plan to assist you with adjusting an old, adapting to and/or devise a new plan.WELCOME TO SECOND CHANCE LIVING: PMI where no path is the wrong path and your needs are our needs!
PASSION: Second Chance Living: PMI is my calling from God. The Lord allowed me to experience things, including prison on several occasions, so that I could one day help others transform their lives as I once did. One of my favorite sayings is, “We may not understand things ‘at that moment’ BUT in due time it makes PERFECT sense!” He allowed me to encounter many trials and tribulations to prepare me for these women. I am them and they are me. I am here to help them like He helped me!
Roger Webb
Secretary
STATEMENT: In a country where there are more prisons per capita in the world, we live in a society that has been conditioned to believe that “Rehabilitation is an option…”, there should be no option. Second Chance Living Project Mass Incarceration’s mission is to engage those women who are exiting a highly structured system and equip them with the tools they need to re-orient themselves to their new-found freedoms. I personally believe that fluidity is the key to success, and that a natural progression allows us to accomplish more than the rigidity of most societal norms. Quite frankly, the worst insult you can ever throw my way is “you’re normal”… because there is no normal. Our clients will be treated with respect and dignity – not a “one size fits all” curriculum.
PASSION:At a very young age (8 months old), I found myself in a system that viewed children as a number. Being the lucky one, I was adopted, yet outside of control of what was happening to me. Because of this, I realized how real life can get from the stories that my siblings told me about their experiences growing up. This caused me to commit my time, talent, and treasure to helping those in a genuine need in my early teens… so much so, that I will be a day late and a dollar short all day long – when I’m on time for people. I was given a second chance before I even realized it, thus I intend to provide another chance to anyone who is ready to cast off the bad habits of their past and progress with a positive mindset today.
Dawn McClain
Director of Operation & Compliance
STATEMENT:
I am a skilled nursing professional who focuses on providing strong problem resolution in any situation. I accompanied this by my attention to professional and culturally competent client and family advocacy. I also have excellent cost containment skills and am a powerful team leader whose experience spans over three decades.
PASSION:
I have a passion for helping people and the gift of exhortation. My main goal is to help others succeed in life. With this organization I feel I can help expand the client’s knowledge by allowing them to reach their goals in every aspect of their lives. As a director of 2nd Chance Living: PMI, my mantra is “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:14.
Karl Prevost
Vice Chair
STATEMENT:I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, New King James Version). My work as a licensed specialist in school psychology, both as a practitioner and a researcher, has provided me ample opportunity to create safe spaces for others to exercise agency over their lives. Over the years I have had the privilege to work with chapters of the 100 Black Men of America and the Boys & Girls Club in their efforts to empower underprivileged and at-risk, male youth. I have also functioned as a mentor both inside and outside of the school systems of the greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, and Houston areas assisting youth in personifying their own definitions of success. This reaffirmed a desire in me to pursue affiliations that furthered a vision of empowering the disempowered, giving a voice to the voiceless. I am forever grateful to be a part of helping Second Chance Living: PMI, Inc. manifest its vision to innovatively impact women’s successful transition back into their communities.
PASSION:When it comes to purpose, Benjamin E. Mays said it best, “Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive, and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.” Thus, I function within the belief that every child is a story waiting to be told. My most influential experience is also the most practical: my matriculation through the subpar education systems of the New Orleans area gave me a first-hand look at the increasingly difficult circumstances that subjugate our communities and impair youths’ senses of self-determination. As a result, empowerment of others through model-mentorship has been an enduring passion of his. Bottom line: People do what they know. Thus, it is the collective responsibility of those who are privileged, in any form, to utilize that privilege responsibly and for the benefit of others.
Akaiaya Martin
Treasurer
STATEMENT:Why 2nd Chance Living PMI? We have four core values, Faith, Discipline, Integrity, and Consistency (FDIC). Have Faith in yourself, you can do whatever you put your mind to. Have Discipline, it may not be easy, but it is necessary for your growth. Have Integrity, be honest with yourself, hold yourself to a higher standard. Be Consistent, learn new habits and apply them every day. Most importantly, Love yourself! Every day is a chance to start over.
PASSION:
I have always had a passion for helping others, even when I couldn’t help myself. Just knowing I helped someone, has always been a reward in itself. Living in a youth shelter from the ages of 19-22, and being on the receiving end of a nonprofit, I know this program will do for women what Covenant House of New Orleans did for me. I feel it’s my calling to help others in need. 2nd Chance Living PMI has given me the opportunity to do that. “Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your passions.” Akaiaya M.
Brenna Ferrell
Board Member
I have been teaching in some form or another since I was sixteen and I received my certification as a swim instructor; I’ve discovered, with time, that I have learned more from all of my students than I could have ever taught them. They’ve taught me to be a life-long learner, to take what I’ve learned and educate others, and to never stop advocating for those who have not equitably received opportunities to learn. I believe all roads to success lead through the schoolhouse, which is why I believe in Second Chance Living PMI and our commitment to educate others so that they may find their purpose, and we can then motivate each other to innovate a new and better way of life together.
Genette Comfort
Chair
Genette Comfort has more than twenty years of experience working in the corporate and nonprofit sector focusing on philanthropy, capital campaigns, special events, marketing and communications and organizational management. During her career in philanthropy, she elevated revenue goals for national organizations such the United Way of America, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and NeighborWorks America. She successfully increased and exceeded revenue goals for a number of nonprofits organizations such as National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), INROADS, Tuskegee University and Capital Partners for Education (CPE). Currently, Genette serves as the Vice President of Philanthropy for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington where she is responsible for creating and sustaining a comprehensive and philanthropic culture among seventeen YMCAs and program centers in metropolitan Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. She is skilled in managing strategic partnerships and developing tactical infrastructure to help build solid partnerships and organizational leaders. Genette has planned and launched innovative and effective philanthropy campaigns, which led to top tier corporate and private foundation partnerships and organizational sustainability. Genette enjoys the performing arts, listening to all music genres and nature walking.