Former Oklahoma inmate helping ex-convicts reenter society

( NewsNation ) — Former inmate Delisa Herbert-Jones has become a hometown hero by using her thrift store to help ex-convicts get back on their feet.

Herbert-Jones joined NewsNation’s “ Morning in America ” on Monday to explain her work as the executive director of Second Chances Thrift Store in Oklahoma City.

“We focus on men and women who are coming out of prison, homelessness, addiction, human trafficking, sex trafficking and domestic violence,” Herbert-Jones said.

Herbert-Jones said the reason she opened her store is because of her history as someone who was trafficked and later went to prison.

“It’s my life’s story, so it’s now my life’s journey to help men and women who are just like me,” she said.

Second Chances Thrift store works with other organizations, some of which helped Herbert-Jones herself when she was coming out of prison, to help people get the resources they need to integrate back into society.

“The whole goal is to make sure that they have IDs, social security cards, birth certificates so that they’re able to get a job, get permanent housing,” Herbert-Jones said. “If they are dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues we get them appropriate housing such as sober living, transitional living, and into programs that actually help with their current situation so they don’t get lost back out into the streets.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.