A Note from Natasha
2025 is off to a busy start! Pawsperity is gearing up for our annual in-depth program evaluation. In addition to our internal tracking, we collaborate with the University of Missouri’s Kansas City Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership to survey graduates’ experiences and successes post-graduation. It is important to us to have a third-party gather detailed data, which allows us to objectively assess our students’ outcomes—and to ensure we are still on track with our mission of ending generational poverty.
Besides collecting specific information, there are often conversations about how our program has impacted their lives, as well as the lives of their children. I thought you may appreciate seeing a couple those quotes from past evaluations.
“Pawsperity changed my whole entire life. It was the best thing I have ever done. I have job skills. I have life skills. I had no self-worth.”
“My older kids saw the struggle. I am now setting a good example for my kids. I have a better income. I don’t worry about the basics. I was always so stressed and less of a parent…not now.”
While we are always looking to streamline and improve our program, it is motivating to hear how Pawsperity has made a real impact on so many lives over the past nine years. Besides 790 hours of grooming instruction over seven months, our program also prioritizes an additional 92 hours of life skills, including parenting and budgeting classes. After graduation, we continue to support students 18-months post-graduation within the Bridge Program.
Our mission is challenging, and our program is extensive and not easy. But with your support, we will continue to be reminded how it is all worthwhile.
I will leave you with my favorite Pawsperity graduate quote, which I feel really sums up what we do.
“They don’t just teach you how to groom dogs. They teach you how to do life.”