"Whether it's a cell phone, whether it's a vacuum cleaner, whether it's an old TV," explained Maurice Jones, the co-founder of PAR Recycle. "This gold, once it's processed, will be turned into a gold bar."
We're not only talking about money, however.
"We believe that people need a chance. We try to steer away from a second chance because sometimes people need the first chance," said Jones.
PAR stands for "People Advancing Reintegration."
"It's the employment opportunity and love, care, and support," said Jones.
Jones employs only those who have recently gotten out of prison. It's a six to nine-month program and transitionary job where people learn skills by taking apart and building electronics. Then, they are matched with careers.
One of his former employees, Theresa Watts, says Jones changed her life.
"I call him boss man. And with boss man, he always strives to see people do better for themselves," said Watts, who was in prison for three years. Once she got out, she says she couldn't find full-time work until she found PAR.
"I see so much of a revolving door of: everybody go to jail, go home, go to jail, go home. I didn't want to be one of those revolving doors," she said.
Of the 110 people who have gone through Jones' program, only two have gone back to prison. He says the key to his success isn't anything groundbreaking, it's empathy.
"I came home from prison in February 2011," said Jones. "I understand the challenges of coming home from prison. I understand not having a bank account."
He says he's teaching both the value of work and how valuable being given a chance can be.