Hillcrest Platte County

HILLCREST Success Stories KEONA: ADULT & FAMILY Keona found herself facing an unexpected turn of events when she resigned from her job at an apartment complex. Rather than receiving the customary two weeks to close out her responsibilities, she was fired and received a notice of eviction due to her lack of employment. During their time of uncertainty, Hillcrest stepped in to provide refuge for this family of five. Keona, passionate about dance and singing, spent her free time contributing her talents to her church. Meanwhile, Travis, driven by the desire for his family to have a better future, secured improved employment opportunities. The family's journey within the program was marked by significant milestones, including the payment of thousands of dollars in debt and the accumulation of a comfortable savings account. Following graduation, the family moved into a home of their own. At graduation, Travis expressed his gratitude, saying, "We'd like to thank Hillcrest for everything you've done for us. You helped us take care of debt and move forward, and we appreciate it." Keona echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the kindness and love they found at Hillcrest, a stark contrast to the challenges they faced before. In her heartfelt words, Keona reflected on the transformative experience, saying, "Thank you so much for this experience because it helped us to heal through what we have been through and helped us to grow." SHIRLEY: Family Shirley and her son joined our program in March 2024. Originally from Africa, Shirley faced the devastation of war in 2020 when gunfire and bombings suddenly erupted during a training session for her job. Forced to evacuate, Shirley made the brave decision to leave behind the war and poverty in search of a better life for herself and her son. In 2020, she packed up their belongings and moved to the United States, determined to build a brighter future. When Shirley first entered HPC, she shared that she had hoped for strong support from her family living in the U.S. However, she soon realized that they didn't share her drive to improve her life. When she expressed her desire to pursue education and better opportunities, they questioned her ambitions. Undeterred, she took matters into her own hands. Shirley was accepted into our program at HPC and the day she moved into her apartment was a heartfelt moment. As she walked through the space, she described herself as overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. When she reached her son’s room, she noticed a toy kitchen left behind by the previous participant. Overcome with emotion, she fell to her knees and asked, "How did you know?" Her case manager, puzzled, asked, "Know what?" Shirley explained that her son had been begging for a toy kitchen, and in that moment, God had provided exactly what they needed. Shirley enrolled in driving lessons, earned her driver's license, and bought a car. Now, Shirley's son is just as active and determined as his mother. Going into second grade, he plays soccer and basketball, takes drum and piano lessons, and practices taekwondo. Shirley, despite working two jobs in healthcare, ensures his participation in all these activities. Through hard work and determination, Shirley has paid off over $3,000 in debt and is now completely debt-free. Shirley left HPC with a healthy savings account, positioning herself and her son for a stable and secure future. At HPC Graduation, Shirley shared her heartfelt thanks, saying, "I just want to thank Hillcrest and everyone here because I’ve learned a lot. The food—I didn’t know I could eat it because in Africa we didn’t eat most of the food. Here, I ate food, met new people, shared ideas. With the life skills, I’ve been able to express myself a little bit. I was so quiet. I’ve learned the cleaning and everything is good. It makes things just easy. I’m happy because it was so stressful. Since I came in, I’ve been able to decide for myself what I want to do and how to move forward. I’ve gotten a new family. I’m so grateful. I used to not know what we were going to eat. I’m so grateful, thank you so much." JR- YOUNG ADULT When JR first entered Hillcrest as a high school senior, her bank account hardly reflected her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. Due to unfortunate circumstances, she wound up in the program and undeterred, she was able to triple her savings through determination and the guidance of her case manager. Exemplifying excellence in her classes, she earned over 10 college credit hours while still in high school. Thanks to the support of Hillcrest, JR was able to balance her studies with her work and will be entering college with a head start, as a sophomore at the prestigious MU. A further testament to her tenacity, she has secured a full ride by applying for numerous scholarships. In addition, JR worked two jobs while at Hillcrest and then opted for one job to make time to earn her real estate license before heading to college. Amidst her busy schedule, she also found a virtual job that will allow her to work part-time or full-time online while pursuing her studies at MU. Her drive to acquire new skills is evident and she has aspirations to establish her own businesses in hair, nails, real estate, and more. JR’s journey has been about embracing education and exploring opportunities. Not only did JR excel academically and professionally while in the program, but she also showcased her extraordinary talent as a singer. JR is a member of Next Generation KC (a musician group) and performed for the People's Choice Awards at the Midland. Now, as JR prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, she attributes her success to the unwavering support of her loved ones and mentors, as well as her unyielding faith in God. Her message to others resonates with an unwavering belief in chasing dreams, regardless of age or circumstances. Through hardships and challenges, she urges everyone to keep pushing forward and putting in the hard work, for it is through perseverance that we realize our true potential. There is no doubt that Jessica will continue to shine brightly, inspiring others to reach for the stars, one step at a time. AMW: YOUNG ADULT AMW spent roughly seven months in the Hillcrest program after finding herself with nothing after leaving an unstable home. She was at her rock bottom and had consequently drifted away from her church. When she first came to the program, she did not have her driver's license, nor did she know how to drive. AMW took it upon herself to find a driving instructor, take lessons, learn how to manage a vehicle, obtain her license, and purchase her first car. She also completed two classes that were offered through her employer, the Park Hill School District; she was working full-time when she accomplished this. Through hard work, Amya was able to pay off over $7,500 in debt during her time at Hillcrest. She has purchased new glasses, built a savings account, and set a goal to someday begin her own nonprofit. AMW, being a wonderful cook, will be working in the kitchen at a summer camp this year. While at Hillcrest, she poured back into the community by making meals for the life skills group and for other young adults. In addition, she offered instruction to another young adult who needed support. Now, AMW is active in her church again and serves as a women’s minister. From AMW, “I want to thank everybody that has helped me on my journey here. I’ve learned as part of my testimony that God will provide all of your needs. Even in your lowest moments, He hears your cry. Just being here, God has revealed a lot to me. I have met a lot of different people from different walks of life and I believe that this was a part of my purpose and you all are a part of my purpose. God loves you all and He hears you. Don’t ever think that you’re in this life alone, you have a purpose. –My nonprofit is in the works and will be called Blooming Women of Essense; it will exist to help women in their walks with Christ.” AM: YOUNG ADULT At just 18 years old, AM was charged with navigating life alone, including housing. Through God's grace, AM was referred to HPC and joined the young adult program. During his time in the program, he received the stability and encouragement he needed to pursue his educational goals and prepare for his future. While living at HPC, AM graduated high school with honors and attended Metropolitan Community College (MCC) as a part-time student. He was a leader in his high school theater department. He was also recognized for being part of the Early College Academy and received a Gold Medallion Diploma. In addition, AM was a George Washington Carver award recipient, a member of the National Honor Society, an A+ scholar, and served on the Superintendent's Advisory Council. Lastly, AM worked at a local hospital in their room service department. Over the summer, AM worked with a sales company on the East Coast, working first in Maine and then in Baltimore, MD. AM now attends the University of Missouri at Columbia (MU), entering his freshman year with the college credits he earned at MCC as well as UMKC. Smart, motivated, independent, and determined, AM expressed that the support of the HPC Community and the assurance that he didn't have to do life alone was extremely important for his success. EE: YOUNG ADULT When EE was just 15, his world turned upside down. His family unraveled—his stepmom left, his father went to prison, and both of his grandparents passed away within a short time. Then, his uncle was incarcerated as well. With no stable home, EE found himself moving between different living situations—first with a family friend, then with a coworker, sharing a cramped trailer with his brother. Getting to work and school became a constant struggle. That’s when a social worker stepped in and introduced EE to Hillcrest. EE and his brother joined the Hillcrest program, and his life began to change. While at Hillcrest, Ethan worked hard and met a community of people who cared about him, including his apartment sponsors, who taught him how to cook—a skill he treasures today. While in the program, EE was able to earn his driver’s license and purchase his first car. Additionally, a generous donor, wanting to support someone in the trades, awarded Ethan a scholarship to help him launch a career in HVAC. With this opportunity, EE’s path forward became clear. Today, EE is a homeowner, has a full-time job, and has welcomed his brother to live with him. He’s proud of the life he’s built, comfortable being himself, and incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities. EE was our 2024 Gala success story feature, and we could not be more proud of all that he has accomplished!