The Starting Over Story

In 2016, Cheri Chafin Norris (formerly Cheri Garcia) launched Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency for second chances. Since then, the company has helped hundreds of people with criminal records and in recovery find meaningful jobs and change their lives.

Cheri recognized that many of these employees needed help staying sober and focused on their goals of self-improvement and personal growth. She noticed that virtually all had experienced severe emotional trauma at some point in their lives. Drawing on her own recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, Cheri created The 12-Week Starting Over Program.

Participants can take the course at their own pace, be it the recommended 12 weeks, over several months, or even in a few days. Through deeply personal videos and self-guided activities, Cheri speaks directly to the participant, helping them discover their true, authentic selves and actualize their desire for change.

In 2025, we expanded The 12-Week Starting Over Program with additional content, such as TALENT, updated regularly on tablets in prison and jail facilities that carry the Program.

The 12-Week Starting Over Program is offered free, for life, to all Cornbread Hustle employees and interested job applicants. At incarceration facilities where the Program is available on inmate tablets, it is provided at no cost to participants or their families.