2018 RISE Gala

EPEC/The Grooming Project

The Grooming Project is the pilot program of Empowering the Parent to Empower the Child (EPEC). The Grooming Project provides single parents with the chance to rise in the present and the future. They rise with training that leads to flexible employment at a living wage. They rise by learning life skills that elevate their own children's potential. They rise by believing in themselves and their families.

The grooming school program entails 644 classroom hours in 23 weeks, taught by experienced instructors, and an internship in a commercial grooming salon. The parenting program teaches students the importance of active parenting, higher education, budget management, nurturing skills and resources.

OUR IMPACT

• 100% job placement within 60 days of graduation.
  
• $30,000 is the average starting annual wage for graduates, with a few earning $50,000.
  
• In two years, 16 graduate families have successfully transitioned off welfare support. One family on welfare costs taxpayers an average of $61,000 each year.
  
• This year, we will save taxpayers: $976,000 and in FIVE YEARS we will save nearly $5,000,000 with these 16 families.

It is our goal to cause positive outcomes for the entire family, raising up both the parent and the children.