I recently had the opportunity to meet two Alexandria young men who have, as the name of their company indicates, turned their lives around. Two brothers, Shawn and Orlando Fludd, spent their early years in a small rural town in Columbia, South Carolina being raised by a single mother.  The family moved to Alexandria when the brothers were in the 4th and 5th grade.  The move to the Washington, D.C. area gave them hope to a better life as they were now surrounded by grocery stores and other businesses.  Although job opportunities seemed abundant, due to a disability their mother could not find work, and the boys turned to menial chores to make a little money.

    At the ages of thirteen and fourteen, they learned about the “drug game” and went from legal street hustling to selling and using illegal substances.  By ages fifteen and sixteen, they both had seen the inside of the juvenile detention center.  From here their lives spiraled downward until Shawn decided to take charge of his life, and turn it around. With great self-determination Shawn went to college.  From there Shawn went on to acquire various legal certificates, and employment within nationally recognized law firms as a paralegal for over nine years.  He later became a successful business owner.  Today Shawn and Orlando are giving back to their community and are involved with helping others to turn their lives around.  Their new company, Turning Point, L.L.C. (www.trngpnt.com) is all about changing the mindset of nonviolent, incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and low income families. Their mission is to assist them in securing opportunities to work in corporate and blue-collar America, become successful entrepreneurs, get into college and trade schools to further their education and assist them down the path toward home ownership.

    My time spent with these two individuals was rewarding to me, especially at this time of year, to realize how huge obstacles can be overcome and how you can give back to the community.  Today Shawn is on many boards of directors, and heads some of them as well.  This month Turning Point is launching their new work program for qualified participants.  The company selects and trains individuals and then “hires them out” to local businesses.  Turning Point is the employer and accepts all responsibility for their employees… all they need is a chance.  One of Turning Points objectives is to place individuals who have already been deemed as qualified as security personnel in restaurants to help control unruly crowds.  Their techniques are based on a calm approach, not muscle.  If you have, or know of any opportunities, contact Turning Point at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .