Bridge to a Brighter Future

Nonprofit agencies connect potential students to Pawsperity

A fresh start free of domestic violence

Safehome is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence in our community. It’s the only domestic violence agency in Johnson and Miami counties and serves more than 300 survivors and their children every year. Safehome provides shelter, individual and group counseling, court and legal support, and other community programs to empower survivors to live independent and violence-free lives. All services are free and available to any individual who is experiencing domestic violence.

According to Residential Case Manager Geneva McDonnell, it takes the average survivor of domestic violence nine times before they stop returning to their abuser. “Many go back, but often the parents we serve in our shelter have reached a point where they are very motivated and ready to move forward. Their children are a big motivator.”

Since fall of 2021, Safehome has referred a half-dozen clients to Pawsperity to learn about the six-month grooming training and certification program. Barriers, like transportation or childcare, keep some from entering the program. Pawsperity’s family residence is very helpful, with private space for six families to live next to the pet grooming school while the parents complete their training.

Oftentimes, Safehome clients have pets of their own that may keep them from leaving the violence. Geneva shares, “When a person contacts us for help, part of our lethality assessment is to ask questions about the abusive partner harming or threatening to harm the family pet, just as they might harm a child. They threaten harm if the victim tells anyone about the abuse.” That human-animal connection is huge, and the Safehome clients who apply to the grooming school are drawn to the emotional connection they’ve experienced with their own pets. “They may have experienced trauma, loss, poverty, homelessness, incarceration, or any combination of these selfdefeating situations. But when they get to Pawsperity, they see people like them.”

That can be just what they need to believe they’re headed toward a brighter future.

Finding a new path through recovery

Heartland Center for Behavioral Change (HCBC) provides behavioral healthcare and substance use disorder services to help individuals lead healthier, happier, more productive lives. Heartland Center offers services throughout the Greater Kansas City area and across Southwest Missouri.

The connection with Pawsperity began in 2019. Annthia Thompson, LMSW, CRADC, Program Manager at the Independence facility, conducts patient intake and counseling. She shared how clients in outpatient treatment receive individual professional counseling and peer support services as they work to rebuild their lives. “Part of our support service is helping them identify job opportunities. Clients that we refer to Pawsperity are those with an interest in more of a career, not just a job in fast food,” shares Annthia. “The counselors work closely with clients to identify those who would be good candidates. They work on self-esteem. They evaluate how fully individuals participate in their outpatient treatment. Do they have housing and a doctor? We make sure they are stable and stable in their sobriety.”

Peer supports are a guide to share their lived experiences from a real-world peer perspective rather than from a professional. Peer supports help potential students with the application process, how to get bus passes and get familiar with the bus schedule to set them up for job success. Many of HCBC’s referrals to Pawsperity training are trying to get custody of their children. They have to show the courts that they are on the path to doing what it takes to care for their children and themselves.

Annthia talks about the changes they’ve seen in clients who are currently training or have completed their grooming education. “We have a longtime client who’s currently training with Pawsperity. It’s like they become more independent. You see a change of ‘I can do this on my own.’ We’ve had a few graduates and one who has a goal to start her own grooming business.”

Pawsperity is grateful to all of our nonprofit partners who introduce their clients to our program and the opportunity to build a career and better life for their families.

Woof’s Play & Stay is a family-owned dog daycare, boarding and grooming facility.