TAKE 2 GRADUATE STORIES

May 2025 | Teari

Always smiling and full of positive energy, it’s easy to see why we call her Cheery Teari. From day one, she’s shown up on time, worked hard, and never missed a shift. Teari chooses to focus on the positive—even when things get tough—and her attitude is as inspiring as her determination.

After graduating from RTP, Teari came to Take 2 ready to stay on track and “never look back.” She recently completed Tulsa Tech’s Industrial Maintenance Program through our partnership with Prosper and also earned her Forklift certification—adding more tools to her belt, just like she set out to do.

She says her favorite part of Take 2 is “improving my measures of opportunities” as she transitions back into society. For Teari, Take 2 has been about finding direction: “door openers and path guiders” that have helped her move forward with purpose.

Now, she’s focused on reuniting with her children and showing their grandparents just how far she’s come. What’s next? “Learning to love deeper, take more chances, and make a change.”

We’re so proud of you, Teari!

May 2025| April

Congratulations to April, who graduates today from the Take 2 Café program! She shared, “Working at Take 2 has been a blessing for me. I never thought I would be where I am today and have the support system I have. I’ve been able to build healthy relationships with not only everyone here but everyone in my life.”

When she arrived at Take 2, April’s goals were to pay off some of her court fines, stay sober, and build healthier relationships. She was able to accomplish all of this and more! April mastered Take 2’s scratch Caesar dressing, using her eye for detail to become a talented salad maker. A natural leader, she is always there to provide guidance and support for our other Take 2 program participants.

April says she is most proud of “keeping my sobriety, actually working towards accomplishing my goals, and not giving up.” She is serious about recovery and creating a better future for herself. In fact, she will soon earn her certificate as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, using her journey to help others. April will be moving into Elwood House while she attends welding school and secures further employment.

April has been an absolute joy and we will miss her at the Take 2 Café!

mARCH 2025 | Laquesha

Laquesha is our most recent graduate of the Take 2 Café program! She shared, “My favorite thing about Take 2 is having the unity of my roommates and coworkers. It’s the best feeling knowing that we all have each other’s backs, not only at work but at home too.”

In the program, Laquesha’s confidence grew daily, and she quickly rose to the position of line lead. She was often the first to clock in, was a team player, and was always ready and willing to help wherever needed. She said, “Having to learn all the positions was very productive. It made me feel like I could accomplish anything. Now I know I can work with a team and also be a leader.”

During her time in the program, Laquesha was able to make huge strides in her recovery journey. She reconnected with her family and now sees her children regularly, and earned her forklift license. She is moving into Resonance’s Kirtley House next while she starts a new job, attends welding school, and continues earning money toward a place of her own!  She is always so welcoming to new participants in the program and acts as a wonderful mentor. It's been an honor to watch her come out of her shell and blossom. 

Laquesha will be greatly missed at the Take 2 Café, but we are extremely proud of her and know she will accomplish great things!