WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A local program that gives former inmates a second chance had its first Wilmington graduating class on Tuesday.

• Inmates to Entrepreneurs has been around since 1992 and teaches its students how to start their own business
• The free eight-week-program provides the tools for a different path to financial stability
• Thirteen students graduated, each with a different business plan

The program, Inmates to Entrepreneurs, has been around since 1992 and teaches its students how to start their own business.

Co-chair A.J. Ware said it's often hard to find a decent job with a criminal record, so the free eight-week program provides the tools for a different path to financial stability.

"We have a student that gave the story that he has applied 94 times to get a job, and they've all told him no because of his criminal history," said Ware. "Well he can come in here and we say, 'We don't care, you know, what kind of history you have. Let's go out and let's start a business for you,' and he's done that."

Thirteen students graduated, each with a different business plan, and one student says she's eager to see what they have to offer the community.