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Nick Shaffer walked into Rudisill Regional Library on Tuesday morning sober from opioids for 10 months, his back against the wall facing eviction, and the weight of prior felony convictions keeping him from the career he longs for.

When Shaffer left that afternoon, for the first time in a frustratingly long time, he had hope.

“I’ve been dealing with this for 7 or 8 years, and had pretty much no hope,” Shaffer said. “Then you go to this and see there are resources out there for you. But the important part is you have to go out there and do it.”

Shaffer was one of many “justice-involved” people who came to the library Tuesday looking for the path to a second chance. The Sowing Hope Resource Fair, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity, brought together groups to provide information on everything from housing to employment, and transportation to education for justice-involved people.

In 2012, Shaffer was twice charged and later pleaded guilty to false declaration of ownership in pawn, a felony. A year later, he was charged and later pleaded guilty to felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

In a perfect world, Shaffer said he wants to be a substance abuse or mental health counselor to help others who face struggles like his own.