A COUPLE of weeks ago, I invited Michael Vick to speak with about 700 Philadelphia inner-city children, as part of the program held by our nonprofit, City ACES (Athletes Changing Expectations).

His response? An emphatic "Yes!" My thoughts at the time centered on the life-changing impact his story would have on these kids as they listened to his message warning of the pitfalls that await them if they make bad choices in their lives.

Some have criticized my decision to use Vick as a spokesman for City ACES because of his well-documented involvement with Bad Newz Kennels dog-fighting ring. I won't repeat the specifics of the cruelty of Bad Newz, but the aftermath left Vick sentenced to 21 months for animal abuse, relieved of a $100 million contract and the object of profound disappointment from teammates and fans.

Lost in the brouhaha over the City ACES decision, is the fact that ACES stands for "Athletes" (which Vick still is) "Changing" (which he is attempting to do) and "Expectations" (which he can do by delivering a positive message to kids).

Based on the mission of City ACES, I determined that there was no one more suited than Vick to deliver the message of redemption to the children. Whether we turn on a TV or radio, go to the sites we visit online or note the type of people we spend most of our free time with, we often find ourselves sympathizing, and empathizing, more with people who have come from backgrounds similar to our own. This is simply human nature.

The kids that Vick spoke with in Philadelphia can attest that life is hard, and they often face difficult situations. But they will also remember his words:

"Two years ago, I was involved in something I was never supposed to be involved in, we all know what it was about, making the wrong decisions, making the wrong choices, not using the right resources and the people around me who wanted to help me."When these kids hear a person like Vick speak, they can easily imagine themselves in the same spot, 10 or 15 years down the line. If he can serve as a beacon, a human lifesaver for them, then his ordeal (and subsequent appearances) will be well worth it.

It does society no good to exile Michael Vick. Rather, we should uplift him as a symbol of what is possible when someone chooses the "better angels" of their nature.

Let there be no mistake: I'm not condoning Vick's decision to train and fight dogs. I love animals, and believe in their rights. But, at some point, we must either trust and believe that our justice system works, or concede that it doesn't.

IF IT'S THE latter, then no more need be said, and the entire institution should be dismantled before the sun goes down. But if it's the former, we must examine what kind of society we understand ourselves to be and recognize that Vick has served his time and paid his debt to society.

This also warrants our forgiveness of him, and the granting of a second chance for him to get it right. Denying Vick the right to integrate back into society discredits our entire system of justice in America.

And so, on Sept. 22, as City ACES kicked off its national Dream Makers & Dream Breakers tour, Michael Vick stepped on stage as our keynote speaker. I made the decision with a clear conscience, and with eager anticipation, because I know that the good he can do for our youth greatly outweighs the damage he's done in his past.

For Vick, this is a journey of redemption, but for some of the kids he spoke with, his journey could mean the difference between jail and freedom, life and death - for them.

C. Frank Igwe is the executive director of City ACES (www.cityaces.org). E-mail: frankigwe@cityaces.org.