KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When you look good, you feel good. Connections to Success Kansas City is making sure people from all walks of life feel great.
“Our mission and vision is to inspire individuals with economic independence by providing hope, resources, and a plan,” Regional Executive Director Brandi Jahnke said.
They’re doors ShaVaughn Holloway walked through just two years ago.
“I was scared when I walked into these doors because I didn't know what to expect,” Holloway said.
Holloway became part of the Connection family after deciding she wanted to be more independent.
“It was right after I decided I didn't want my mom and little sister taking care of me anymore,” Holloway said.
The organization works with roughly 300 people each year who come from a variety of situations.
“They may have been incarcerated and transitioning back to the community. They may be women leaving domestic violence relationships. They may be individuals who grew up in generational poverties and they're ready to make that shift for their children,” Jahnke said.
Through the organization’s Dress for Success and Personal and Professional training program, it gave Holloway just the push she needed.
“Right now I am going to school full-time at Park University. I am working on my Bachelors in Science and Business Management with a minor in marketing and working on my Bachelors in Arts and Creative Writing,” Holloway said.
And that’s not even half of all that Holloway does.
Connections to Success became an added support system in her life, which was a game changer not only for her but also her four-year-old daughter.
“She is my inspiration for everything,” Holloway said. “She really is.”
Through the program, she got the courage to start a foundation of her own for her daughter, who has autism.
“It’s called Ahyoka Speaks Foundation, which is to help other single mothers who have never heard about autism and need help and resources to kind of feel better about it,” Holloway said.
She hopes others who walk through these doors will get the life change they’re looking for.
“Everyone here is friendly, loving, caring, and their main goal is to help us no matter what,” Holloway said.
The organization is always looking for volunteers. For more information, click here.
