My name is Karla,
I am originally from Gardner, Kansas. At the age of 13, I began running away from home and was in juvenile detention centers and rehab, all [despite] having excellent parents. I didn’t believe I was worthy of having a good life.
Fast forward to adulthood, I made a series of bad choices that led me to prison, jails, hospitals for mental health reasons and homelessness. I lived in the woods at one point, in a tent, slept behind buildings and dumpsters, and held up a cardboard sign for money or food. There were times I was extremely cold, feeling like there was no hope for a future, a life for me, [or] that I was never going to be a productive member of society.
December 2023, I decided to go to Ozark Recovery Sober Living.
They sent us to Catholic Charities for a résumé class. The lady teaching mentioned [Great Jobs KC and their training partner] Pawsperity, and I thought it was a long shot, but I called anyway. They accepted me with open arms. I worked hard, showed up each and every day that I could, and truly gave it my all. As time passed, I began to believe in myself. My teachers were so supportive. I got into therapy, and my therapist, Jamie, helped me overcome obstacles without sabotaging myself. And all the other support I was given along the way made a huge difference.
Today, I am a Pet Stylist at Petco. I know I can support myself now and that I never have to live the way I used to again. I am HAPPY! Which is something I wasn’t sure I deserved in the past. I have a relationship with God, my family, friends, co-workers, and a great support system.
My Dad once told me ‘Make It Count,’ which is now engraved on my scissors. Each day, that’s what I do. I make it count. I am so grateful for this eye-opening, life-changing BLESSING that has changed my life.
Great Jobs KC helped me achieve my goals! They checked in on me and my progress, helped me get to work when my car broke down and helped with school costs, and I cannot express in words the gratitude I feel in my heart for these things. If my life can change, I know anyone can. Thank you for believing in me Great Jobs KC! Your support has forever changed my life. I will never forget what you have done for me and my future!
Making it Count,
Karla Quick
UPDATE: We’re excited to announce that Karla has quickly been promoted to a new role as a supervisor at her Petco salon. This is a testament to her hard work and dedication. We are so incredibly proud of the strides Karla has been able to make and cannot wait to see her grow within her new role. Congratulations Karla!
Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Great Jobs KC Great Jobs KC, the KC Scholars program which launched in Fall 2022,
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.
Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.
Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.
Program offers:
Eligibility Requirements:
If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships.
Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.
Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country. Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.
