Addicts get second chance

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www.anglophonie.fr
Addicts Get Second Chance At Life
(CBS News, 2012)
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57522746/addicts-get-second-chance-at-life-from-cafeowner/?tag=showDoorFlexGridLeft;flexGridModule
In this economy everyone is lucky to have work. (Order up!) But few are luckier than the waitress here at
Gwendolyn’s Café in Fort Myers, Florida. (Enjoy)
Before coming here, Michelle Werline had a hard time securing a job, mainly because (pills) when it came to
mistakes (and then came acid), there was almost nothing on the menu (of drugs!) she hadn't tried (and a little
heroine)
As a result of her addictions (coke), the state took away all three of her kids. She's been sober five years now,
but says most employers (coming out!) don't want the baggage anyhow.
-What made you think anybody would ever give you another chance?
-I didn’t.
And it wasn’t just Michelle who got a chance. (Cocaine, heroine, alcohol). The owner gave Wendy, the cook, a
chance too -- and John, the deliveryman.
I was a raving crack-cocaine addict, a street- variety addict, a five-time-convicted felon.
In fact, just about everyone who works at Gwendolyn's is a recovering addict or alcoholic -- which makes you
wonder: what are you thinking Gwendolyn?
-This whole staff for the most part has admitted to stealing.
-They have.
-They’ve admitted to being out of control.
-Yes.
-But you ignore all that. Why?
-Because I like to see them get better.
-Obviously that was just part of the answer.
-What are you thinking?
-I've been very lucky and I want people to have what I have.
Gwendolyn Howard is a recovering alcoholic herself. Since opening her restaurant a couple years ago, she has
hired about 20 people with similar, chequered pasts.
-Does this work out all the time?
-No!
-OK, half the time?
-Yeah, half the time.
-Half of your hires are good hires.
-How about half of my hires are incredible hires.
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Gwen says by the time they walk in here, those who do work out are so grateful for the opportunity, they more
than make up for the disappointments. Hot hot hot!
Then she says there are the fringe benefits, like watching someone get their life back, or better yet, their family.
I love you. Love you too!
Thanks to a solid job and sobriety, Michelle now has all three of her kids back home.
It's crazy, ‘cause I didn't know that it would ever happen.
As a business model, what Gwen is doing here in Fort Myers may or may not be prudent, but as a life model,
she has accomplished something we could all learn from.
Someone has to give them a chance. What if we all just gave one person a chance?
Like Gwen, I bet we'd all find it addicting.
Steve Hartman, On the Road, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Vocabulary
0. order up!
1. an addict
2. had a hard time
3. securing a job
4. when it came to mistakes
5. took away
6. she has been sober
7. don’t want the baggage anyhow
8. a raving (…) addict
9. a street-variety addict
10. a five-time convicted felon
11. just about everyone
12. a recovering addict
13. this whole staff
14. has admitted to stealing
15. out of control
16. get better
17. a couple years ago
18. has hired
19. chequered / checkered pasts
20. work out
21. your hires
22. how about
23. by the time
24. so grateful
25. they more than make up for
26. fringe benefits
27. to get one’s life back
28. ‘cause
29. what if ...?
30. better yet
31. I bet we would all find it addicting
la commande est prête!
un toxicomane
avait des difficultés à
obtenir un travail
quand il s’agissait (de faire) des erreurs
a retiré
elle est sobre
ne veulent pas des employés ayant un passé trouble
un toxico fou, délirant
qui achète tout ce que se trouve, se vend dans la rue
un criminel condamné 5 fois
tout le monde
un toxico en voie de rétablissement
l’ensemble de ce personnel
avoué avoir volé
qui ne se maîtrisent pas = prennent de la drogue
aller mieux
il y a quelques années
a embauché
des parcours en dents de scie
marche / est-ce que ça réussit à tous les coups?
vos embauches
et si je disais que
lorsque
si reconnaissants
ils compensent encore plus / ils font d’autant plus d’efforts
des avantages annexes
‘récupérer sa vie’ = reprendre sa vie en main
= because
et si ...?
encore mieux
je parie que tout le monde trouverait / penserait que
c’est addictif (de vouloir aider les gens)