MEEHAN >> YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN YOU. DON’T DISAPPOINT THEM. >> IT WAS A MORNING OF POWERFUL MESSAGES AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR 4 MEN AT SUFFOLK SUPERIO COURT. 4 MEN WHO AT ONE TIME SAT IN A SIMILAR COURTROOM AND WERE CONVICTED OF A VARIETY OF STATE LEVEL CRIMES. [APPLAUSE] TODAY, THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED THROUGH HARD WORK. THE MEN ARE THE FIRST GRADUATES THE COMMUNITY SERVINGS TEACHING KITCHEN PROGRAM. A 12-WEEK CULINARY ARTS JOB TRAINING PROGRAM THAT PREPARES INDIVIDUALS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD INDUSTR >> I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU GU GRADUATING TODAY. YOU HAVE MADE YOUR COMMUNITY PROUD, YOU HAVE MADE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILIES PROUD. EVERY TIME YOU COOK A MEAL, YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES. >> SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT JUSTICE ROBERT TOCHKA INTRODUCED THE PROGRAM. HE AND BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER WILLIAM GROSS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER SINCE 1985 TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO SIMPLY LOCKING SOMEONE UP AND TOSSING AWAY THE KEYS. >> TO BE A MORE PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN IT’S INCUMBENT UPON IS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT SECOND CHANCES AND THAT’S WHAT WAS DONE HERE TODAY WITH 4 INDIVIDUALS THAT GRADUATED. >> I’M GLAD I GOT A SECOND CHANCE. I’M HOPEFUL THAT ANYONE WHO SEES THIS RIGHT NOW TODAY WILL DEFINITELY TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO COME THROUGH AND TRY TO GET A SECOND CHANCE AND CHANGE THEIR LIVES. >> IN ADDITION TO THE JOB TRAINING THERE IS ANOTHER INCENTIVE TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM. ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS THE MEN CAN EARN A REDUCED TIME ON PROBATION BY UP TO ONE YEAR. IN BOSTON, DOUG MEEHAN WCVB NE