Those in need of a job in Kansas City are benefiting from several programs within the KC Works Together network.
The network is comprised of several work programs including sewing, food service and dog grooming -- just to name a few.
Curtis Butler is a trainee in the Culinary Cornerstone 30-week program. When he’s done, he’ll be ready to work full-time in a professional kitchen.
“So they do all the work from prep, dish, waiting tables… all of that so that they can learn it in an immersive environment,” said Beau Heyen, one of the founders of KC Works Together.
Butler is one of a handful of trainees in the program… and he has a lot of motivation to complete it.
“So I can make more money and support my family,” said Butler.
Culinary Cornerstone is one of several programs within the KC Works Together workforce training network.
“KC Works Together came out of a community need of trading providers, people who work with individuals with chronic under employment. They were looking for something different in how we handle job training,” Heyen said.
That something needed to include not only skills training, but social support. That’s what is offered at the Grooming Project.
“Our students largely come from shelters and low income housing. Probably about 30 percent of them are living in their cars,” said Natasha Kirsch, owner of the Grooming Project and one of the founders of KC Works Together.
Students learn dog grooming as a trade and are provided other necessities.
“We’ve got a shower and we’ve got breakfast, lunch and dinner for those students," Kirsch said.
In the short time the program has been offered, it has changed lives.
“We’ve graduated 15 students, ten of those right now are already on their way off of welfare,” Kirsch said.
KC Works Together is meeting with the Missouri Workforce Department to discuss its success.
The hope is that vocational programs like these will have a large impact on unemployment in Kansas City.
