John M. Rusnak was preparing to open a ZIPS dry cleaning business in Pasadena when a job seeker walked in from a nearby drug recovery house. The applicant had little experience, was recovering from a heroin addiction and had a misdemeanor charge on his record. But he needed a job and wanted a second chance.

Rusnak — the former Allfirst Financial Inc. currency trader convicted in one of the largest U.S. bank frauds in history — knew about second chances. He hired Noah Shefrin, who stayed clean and has since moved up to become a ZIPS general manager. So began Rusnak’s mission of hiring others who’ve made mistakes.

“These are terrific young men and young women who come out of bad choices, whether it’s jail or drug addiction, and are trying to turn their life around. It struck a chord. It seemed to me like I was looking in the mirror and seeing myself,” Rusnak said. “It’s really an untapped resource. … They need a second chance and an opportunity, and they work very hard to prove themselves.”

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