Finalist 1
“Crafting Community”: How Second Chances Can Change the Trajectory of a Life
by Hannah Herrera
The United States has the highest rates of incarceration and recidivism of any country in the world. LaRue Marcos, Ooh De Lally’s Director of Community Voicing Partnerships, works tirelessly to change that statistic. Through the guidance of Metropolitan Community College’s 180 Re-entry Assist Program and Omaha’s Ooh De Lally nonprofit restaurant, he was given a second chance at a successful life after serving time in prison. Now, Marcos provides community, safety and support for those who are facing the same barriers that he has.
Every Face is a Friendly One
A current program student, right, greets LaRue Marcos, middle, at 2:59 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Marcos now enters the Ooh De Lally kitchen as a director instead of a cook. However, the friendships he has built through graduating from the 180 Re-Entry Assistance Program are long-lasting.
Director of Community Voicing Partnerships, LaRue Marcos
LaRue Marcos, a 33-year-old Omaha native, shares his life journey at 1:37 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2026. Before he earned a leadership position at the restaurant, he graduated as a student from the program.
Embracing the Journey of Building Community
LaRue Marcos and his coworker have a heart-to-heart before a shift at 3:04 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. While hard work is important, Marcos always makes time to speak to and bond with the program’s members.
Welcoming Customers Into the Nonprofit's World
Patrons are offered the opportunity to get to know who LaRue Marcos is. A set table at 3:08 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, welcomes guests to learn about the mission at Ooh De Lally.
Working For a Better Future
LaRue Marcos completes various work throughout the day, responding to emails, expanding projects and building onto the program at 2:29 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Individually, he speaks to colleagues about policy reform in correctional facilities. He is passionate about growing a community for the upcoming generation, especially his children, pictured above.
Short-Term Interactions Leaving Long-Term Impact
LaRue Marcos, left, shares a laugh with a program student, right, in the kitchen at 2:47 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Despite what circumstances brough them to Ooh De Lally, the workspace remains a judgement-free space where everyone is valued.
Steps Towards Improvement
LaRue Marcos uses the stairs at 3:47 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, to enter the restaurant where his journey started. He has walked those steps through many phases of life, and will continue to do so to improve the lives of others and advocate for second chances.
Growing After Graduation
A wall of arrows represents each graduate of the 180 Re-entry Assistance Program. Within those, is LaRue Marcos' at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. It is a subtle reminder that who we are now is because of who we were.