by Abby | Aug 22, 2018 | Breaking the Cycle, Student Stories
It was a moment of God-given self-restraint that led Shautina, 39, to The Grooming Project. She was standing outside her apartment complex’s office smoking a cigarette and “sulking in misery.” The stressors of being a single mother of two had piled. After receiving...
by epecadmin | Apr 29, 2017 | Breaking the Cycle, Student Stories
Life wasn’t going well for Kara Johnson. She didn’t know – never had known — her mom. Her father suffered mental health and addiction issues and wasn’t the best role model. Nor was his ex-wife, who gave Kara a home for a while, but never let her forget she was...
by epecadmin | Apr 9, 2017 | Breaking the Cycle, Student Stories
For Tyesha Olden, the struggle was constant. To be sure, she was trying hard to get her life on track. She had dropped out of high school when asthma caused her to miss too many days to catch up, but she’d signed up for Job Corps and earned her GED. She was working,...
by epecadmin | Sep 28, 2016 | Student Stories, Supporters
You might say dog grooming is in Teri Aalders’ blood The owner of Empire Pets grooming salons in Mission and Lenexa, Kan., she’s been a groomer for years. Her mother groomed dogs for more than 40 years. Her three sisters are groomers, one in Independence, another in...
by epecadmin | Jul 21, 2016 | Breaking the Cycle, Student Stories
Got a question? Shikina Turner probably knows the answer, and if not, she knows how to find it. “She is very smart and knows everything,” says Natasha Kirsch, The Grooming Project founder, of the outspoken mother of four known to friends and family as Shay. “She’s a...
by epecadmin | Jul 18, 2016 | Student Stories
Christine Banks’ one-year-old son is taking his first steps. Her five-year-old daughter is about to lose her first tooth. And Christine is learning to speak up for herself, her kids and her dreams for their collective future. Those dreams — of a job she enjoys...
