LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Graduates of the ‘Hope for Prisoners’ program received a certificate and handshake from President Donald J. Trump on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.

It was my great honor to deliver the commencement address at the @LVMPD’s Hope for Prisoners Graduation Ceremony today, where we reaffirmed that America is a nation that believes in REDEMPTION! pic.twitter.com/WwJ5eHjTzl — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020

Jon Ponder, Hope for Prisoners CEO and Founder welcomed special guests and graduation ‘Hopefuls’ with an opening statement to introduce the President.

Our CEO @JonDPonder is at @LVMPD HQ waiting for @realDonaldTrump to address our reentry graduates, listening to Jack Johnson’s Upside Down. We’re about to flip reentry on its head!! — HOPE for Prisoners (@hope4prisoners1) February 20, 2020

Trump has recognized Jon Ponder nationally for the organization’s effort to positively reintegrate formerly incarcerated people.

“We are very honored the President of the United States is recognizing the hard-work of formerly incarcerated men and women here in the state of Nevada who are making their transition back into our community,” said Jon Ponder.

Watch live stream of commencement address below:

LIVE: President @realDonaldTrump gives Hope for Prisoners commencement address! https://t.co/h3Jke7zOpV — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 20, 2020

"Your future does not have to be defined by the mistakes of the past," President Donald Trump said at the "Hope for Prisoners" graduation. #8NN pic.twitter.com/AzB1kUoDDU — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) February 20, 2020

President Trump is now talking about #RogerStone, saying "I know some people don't like him, but I like Roger." The president also said Roger Stone never worked on his campaign. He also talked about how the jury pool for Stone was tainted. WATCH: https://t.co/13uvIbVrOc #8NN pic.twitter.com/sCMyopdlrp — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) February 20, 2020

President Trump: "We're cleaning it out, we're draining the swamp. I just never know how deep the swamp was." #8NN pic.twitter.com/rXop3O1Z5K — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) February 20, 2020

While talking about PrisonReform, President Trump spoke about #AliceMarieJohnson, calling her a "really incredible person." "We have thousands and thousands of people like Alice Johnson in prison and Iove doing it," he said about prison reform. #8NN pic.twitter.com/C81smz38Bw — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) February 20, 2020

#LIVE: "Anything is possible," said President Trump as he invited 'Hope for Prisoners' alumni to speak, thanking the officer who arrested her 8 years ago, changing her life. WATCH NOW: https://t.co/2qA389PJrg #8NN pic.twitter.com/rscbtXPuY9 — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) February 20, 2020

When Jon Ponder set out on his mission to help formerly incarcerated re-enter the community ten years ago, he reimagined how to give people a chance to transform their lives after they are released.

The program offers long-term support and guidance for those who learned from their mistakes and commit to making changes.

The nonprofit provides clients with life-skills, job training, mentorship, and counseling. Upon graduation, they commit to an 18-month long program working with mentors and businesses willing to employ those looking for job opportunities.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman delivered the oath graduates repeated prior to President Trump taking the stage to deliver the “Hope for Prisoners’ commencement address.

To date, ‘Hope for Prisoners’ has graduated more than 3100 formerly incarcerated.

Graduation photo gallery: