Facing up to their troubled, sometimes criminal pasts and the impact their actions have had on their victims, they have overcome many obstacles to become valued members of the community. Many of them now work with vulnerable young people, to give back, as mentors or welfare officers, motivational speakers and community leaders. Alongside their inspiring stories, those who work with young people who are at risk or have offended — Victoria's assistant police commissioner, former child safety commissioner and outreach workers, program managers, a psychologist and lawyer — analyse the enormous impact drugs and abuse, dysfunctional parenting and unsympathetic education have had on the lives of our children and describe the wonderful and effective programs and organisations that are working to make them healthy and reconnected to the community. Everyone deserves a second chance.