SHAWNA
38 years old, mother of 6 children ages 9 through 23, TEK participant since April 2007, left in July 2008 for a position with Vista.

Whne I came here, I was very resistant and had problems with communication. I have learned how to communicate and how to accept he world just the way it is. A lot of people think TEK is just about soap - but they don't have a clue. It's about restoring and recreating lives. I've seen women housed and start back to school.
I'm now in my second semester in school and have been able to move up to become a Team Builder in Shipping. I am in the process of regaining custody of my children from DCFS. I've been introduced to a different kind of love and support than people coming from my type of background. I have learned what it means to be "socially responsible" - that it's not all about "Shawna", but those people who come behind me, too. I want to enter the field of substance abuse counseling, and my long term goal is to open a home for mothers and chidlren - because I've been there.
I'm proud to be a part of TEK because I've seen little miracles here and that means I'm one, too.

DENNA
23 years old, mother of Evelyn, 15 months. TEK participation from April 2007 until February 2008 when she gained permanent employment full time by Chicago Transit Authority.

When I started working at The Enterprising Kitchen, I didn't want to be bothered by anyone. They put me in a corner because I didn't want to talk to anyone. I had come from the penitentiary into a work release program and was sent to TEK. I learned how to deal with the women working here. I wasn't ready to grasp that all women aren't out to destroy me or use me in some way, shape or form.
I learned how to deal with women and how not to snap off at times when people don't remember that you're working toward something. I am grateful for the opportunity - this is where it all started. I learned acceptance and I humbled myself. My hope for the future is to be the best mother that I can be. I want to give her the things I didn't have - a loving, stable home, good education, love and affection. I ran away from home and I didn't give them a chance to do these things for me.
I want to give myself the chance I know I deserve, such as go back to school, and I want to get my record expunged because I want to be a teacher. I'm going to go far because I have something that it's for - my little girl.