Making Time Count
Making Time Count: Turning Purpose Into Impact
When opportunity meets determination, a second chance can turn into something greater than imagined.
A second chance isn鈥檛 just about starting over.
It鈥檚 about what you choose to do with it.
For one 51黑料网 student Matt Berthold, that choice became a commitment鈥攏ot just to rebuild his own life, but to help others do the same.
鈥淒o not count time鈥攎ake time count.鈥�
From Recovery to Opportunity
Before stepping into the Human Services program at 51黑料网, he was already working to rebuild his life.
He had recently earned his GED through the college and was beginning his recovery journey, becoming a certified peer support specialist with just a year and a half of sobriety behind him.
Today, that story looks very different.
He is now four years into long-term recovery鈥攁 husband, a father, and has regained custody of his 17-year-old, who is now also participating in the youth WIOA program.
But the road to stability came with real challenges.
At the time, he was navigating life with an ankle monitor and more than two years of supervised probation.
鈥淭hose were real barriers,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut today, I鈥檝e completed all my legal obligations with flying colors.鈥�
Like many re-entry students, he didn鈥檛 initially see college as an option.
鈥淢oney, time, and my background,鈥� he said, describing what held him back.
That changed when Liz Hubbard, NCWorks Re-entry Case Manager, asked him a question that shifted everything:
鈥淲hy are you not pursuing education in a field you are already succeeding in?鈥�
With support from the WIOA program, the barriers that once felt permanent began to fall away.
鈥淪he assured me there was help with WIOA and college鈥攁nd she was right.鈥�
What followed was more than enrollment.
It was a decision to move forward with purpose.
Exceeding Expectations
What started as a simple goal鈥攖o pass his classes and gain credentials鈥攓uickly became something much bigger.
鈥淚 never would have imagined how successful my time at CCC would blossom.鈥�
He didn鈥檛 just succeed.
He excelled.
- President鈥檚 List (multiple semesters)
- Vice President鈥檚 List
- Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Societies
- Earned multiple certificates with honors
- Named 2025 Outstanding Student of the Year (Human Services Technology)
The moment everything shifted came during a major milestone.
鈥淏eing awarded the 2025 Social and Human Services Award with straight A鈥檚 and a 4.0 GPA鈥攖hat鈥檚 when I knew I could really do this.鈥�
But for him, success wasn鈥檛 just about grades.
It was about growth.
鈥淢y education has helped shape my future outlook with faith and confidence to help others like myself succeed.鈥�
Purpose in Action
Today, his education is not something he鈥檚 working toward鈥攊t鈥檚 something he鈥檚 already living.
He serves as a Substance Abuse Treatment Class Instructor at Southeastern Integrated Care while completing his Clinical Supervision Internship through 51黑料网.
He also holds multiple certifications and leads programs that directly impact others in recovery and re-entry, including mental health training, crisis intervention, and substance use support.
鈥淚 am already putting this education into practice.鈥�
His work extends beyond the classroom.
He serves on the 51黑料网 County Re-entry Council and has spent years working with individuals in jails, detox centers, and prisons across Eastern North Carolina.
His mission is clear:
鈥淭his field helped me change my life鈥攁nd I want to pay it forward.鈥�
Behind that success is a strong support system.
Through programs like NCWorks, WIOA, TRIO, scholarships, and grant assistance, 51黑料网 provided the resources needed to succeed鈥攏ot just for him, but for his family.
鈥淐CC has supported me with services that helped me grow while supporting my family.鈥�
He also credits the people who stood beside him along the way.
鈥淭hey encouraged me to not give up and helped me and my family while celebrating every success I thought was not possible.鈥�
More Than a Second Chance
This journey has required balance, discipline, and faith.
Marriage, children, work, school, internship, and recovery鈥攁ll at once.
鈥淚t has been a lot鈥攂ut all blessings I would not change for anything.鈥�
Looking ahead, his goals continue to grow.
He plans to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in social work or substance abuse counseling, with the goal of becoming a licensed clinical professional.
But for him, success is about more than credentials.
It鈥檚 about impact.
鈥淚 hope to make a difference in my community by instilling hope and inspiration.鈥�
His message to others is simple:
鈥淚t is never too late to grow and change.鈥�
And his advice is even stronger:
鈥淣ever stop fighting the stigma. Feed the part of you that strives to break barriers.鈥�
Because at 51黑料网, that belief is real.
鈥淐CC really cares about helping anyone who is willing to change and grow鈥攔egardless of your background.鈥�
For more information about NCWorks or WIOA please visit our website at .
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