We All Deserve Second Chances

The choices that I have made will determine my destiny for the rest of my life. I believe that mistakes are supposed to shape us into more productive people. However, if never given a second chance, how can I show that I have learned from my bad choices, constantly being reminded of them?

Being convicted of 2 counts of Grand Larceny in 2002 for writing checks against my own checking account without available funds has changed my entire life. Unable to secure employment due to criminal background checks is very frustrating. In retrospect, I would never have made that stupid mistake, knowing what I know now. How am I supposed to support my 5 children and family? That is the unanswered issue. Society has it set up so that once you are convicted of a crime you may as well continue that lifestyle because the community will not allow you to move forward. Constantly reminding me of what I did in my past. I regret what I did. However, I paid the price, and now I would like to move on with my life as an upstanding citizen, work everyday, pay taxes, vote etc... How long will this last? Not for the rest of my life I hope. It's been 6 1/2 years, no probation/parole, no additional criminal acts. Yet I am still unemployed.