Two Rockland County McDonald's franchise owners are offering previously incarcerated people a chance at employment.

Nellie Thomas and her husband own two McDonald’s in Nanuet and Nyack. The couple tells News 12 they launched their "second chance" program because they know what it’s like to come from an underprivileged community.

“We had come from disadvantaged economic environments, so we felt that we needed to really get back to our community to make a difference,” says Thomas. “It’s one thing to write a check, but it’s another thing when you work shoulder to shoulder and actually impact people’s lives.”

Thomas says she’s employed over 50 at-risk youth and young adults over the years. 

News 12 is told many of her former employees have become managers with successful careers in the food industry.