MATC celebrates graduation of 9 students in state custody as part of Second Chance program

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Graduation season is in full swing, and a group of local students is getting a second chance to pursue their passion. 

Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections are celebrating this year's graduates of their Second Chance Pell Welding Fundamentals program. 

The program teaches valuable skills, which helps students become well-adjusted to reentering their communities. 

We talked to one graduate who is proud of the connections he made with his classmates along the way. 

"It was like a brotherhood," graduate Rodney O'Neal said. "We come together, we don't always agree but we always get along, we have great respect for each other, and I am proud of these guys, and I look forward to seeing them out in the world."

The nine graduates from this year's class now join more than 230 students who have made their way through the program.