Meet Michelle Cirocco of Televerde Foundation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Cirocco.

Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I like to say my story is about turning the ultimate setback into the greatest comeback. Over 20 years ago, I found myself at rock bottom — sitting in a courtroom, sentenced to seven years in prison. It was one of those life-altering moments where everything stops, and you either fall apart or fight your way forward. I chose the fight.

While incarcerated, I connected with Televerde, a company that believes in second chances and providing real career opportunities for women in prison. That connection changed everything. I discovered a love for learning, earned my first college degree, and eventually built a successful career — starting in a call center in prison that led to a job offer upon release and a pathway to executive leadership.

But I never forgot where I came from. After years of hiding my past, I finally found the courage to share my story publicly. That vulnerability led to the creation of the Televerde Foundation, where we help currently and formerly incarcerated women gain the personal and professional development needed to rebuild their lives and thrive in the global workforce.

Today, I’m proud to lead the Televerde Foundation, serve as Chief Impact Officer for Televerde, and use my voice to challenge stigma, advocate for second chances, and remind people that failure does not define our worth — it can redefine our future.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not even close — but I wouldn’t trade the bumps for anything.

The biggest challenge was, without question, overcoming the stigma of my past. Coming out of prison, no matter how much you’ve changed or how hard you’ve worked, society doesn’t always let you forget where you’ve been. It takes grit to push past that — to believe in yourself when the world doubts you.

Even after finding success with Televerde, I carried shame like a backpack full of bricks for years. I didn’t tell people my story. I thought my past made me less worthy — less professional. But the truth is, owning my story is what gave me real freedom. It’s also what fueled my passion for creating opportunities for other women facing those same barriers.

Of course, building a nonprofit from the ground up — especially one focused on incarcerated women — comes with its own set of challenges. Funding, partnerships, changing hearts and minds… none of that happens overnight. But every struggle along the way has just made the mission stronger.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Televerde Foundation?
I lead the Televerde Foundation, and we exist for one simple but powerful reason — to prove that second chances work.

We provide personal and professional development programs for currently and formerly incarcerated women to help them successfully reenter society and the workforce. That means job readiness, career coaching, financial literacy, digital skills, personal growth, and, maybe most importantly, belief — belief that they are worthy, capable, and not defined by their worst mistake.

What sets us apart? We don’t do charity. We do transformation. We’re not handing out temporary fixes — we’re building pathways to real careers, economic independence, and generational change. Our programs have a 96% employment rate within 30 days of release and a 0% recidivism rate. That’s unheard of — but it’s proof that when you invest in people, especially women, you change everything.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve built something rooted in authenticity. Our team includes graduates of the program, justice-impacted women, and fierce allies. We walk the talk — and our success stories speak for themselves.

If your readers remember anything, I want it to be this: Your past doesn’t define you. But what you do next absolutely does. And we’re here to help women do something extraordinary with their next chapter.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating opportunity — especially for people who’ve been written off, counted out, or told they aren’t enough.

I know firsthand how easy it is to believe the worst about yourself when the world only sees your mistakes. I also know the life-changing power of someone seeing potential instead of a prison record — of being given a shot to rebuild, to contribute, to belong.

That’s why I’m so passionate about second chances, about breaking down barriers for justice-impacted women, and about building programs that don’t just check a box, but actually transform lives. When we invest in people — really invest — we don’t just change individual futures. We change families, communities, and entire cycles of poverty and incarceration.

At the end of the day, what matters most to me is being that person — the one who believes in someone before they can believe in themselves — and making sure every woman has access to the same kind of opportunity that changed my life, and never feels like her past defines her worth.

Pricing:

• Our programs are offered at no cost to participants. We believe opportunity shouldn’t come with a price tag — especially for women rebuilding their lives after incarceration.
• Individual Donations: Every dollar helps provide education, personal development, and career training for women building a second chance.
• Monthly Giving: Join our community of consistent supporters making long-term impact.
• Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: We collaborate with businesses to expand programs, create fair chance hiring pipelines, and drive real change.
• Speaking & Consulting: Available for businesses, conferences, and events — focused on second chance hiring, building inclusive cultures, and leadership with impact. Pricing available upon request. To donate, partner, or learn more, visit www.televerdefoundation.org or connect with me directly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.televerdefoundation.org
• Instagram: @televerdefoundation
• Facebook: /televerdefoundation
• LinkedIn: https://www.youtube.com/@televerdefoundation6686/videos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@televerdefoundation6686/videos