Apply Here For the AHH Scholarship Program: https://gkccf.academicworks.com/opportunities/1539
We are proud to celebrate the following individuals who have taken advantage of our scholarship program and successfully enrolled in school.
Corey N.
My name is Corey Newell and I currently live at the Bodhi House in Kansas City. For over 10 years I have struggled with addiction. Early in life I had dabbled in drugs here and there, however I was able to stop to pursue my dream career. I went straight to college with a dream job in mind and was able to obtain it just a few years later. After four years or so into my career I had a surgery and was given narcotic pain killers; I was addicted less than a month later. As the addiction grew I eventually lost my career, home and the life I had worked so hard to obtain. With the loss of my career I had lost my purpose in life and eventually gave up on myself and any hope of a future. While being homeless on the streets in Oklahoma City, I decided to leave my old life behind and start over with the hope of a second chance at life. I came to Kansas City in 2017 and just recently I have started to see a light that I thought I would never see again. It was a struggle having no job, no money, no home and literally living on the streets in a new city. Shortly after coming to Kansas City I was introduced to Mr. Woo at a local men’s recovery home. I had an admiration for what he was doing and was so amazed about how many people in recovery would talk about Mr. Woo and AHH. After a relapse Mr. Woo was one of the few people who visited me in the ICU. I’ll never forget what he said to me, “what do you want to do?” Most people just tell addicts what they need to do but this was the first time someone had asked me what I wanted to do. I told him my story and how I wish I could get back what I thought I had lost years ago, and he said, “ok no problem.” This was the first time I had felt hope in so many years of darkness. Since that visit with Woo I have re-enrolled in school and have been able to obtain some professional licenses back. Currently I am a student completing my Associates in Applied Science. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without Mr. Woo and the program at Artist Helping the Homeless; one day at a time, we too can recover.
Bryan W.
Hi, my name is Bryan Wood and I’m 32 years old and currently stay at The Bodhi House in Kansas City, MO. I tried school before but wasn’t doing it for myself and didn’t even finish a semester. I joined the Navy Reserves shortly after that and just before I went in that’s when my drinking became a problem and I was discharged with ‘other than honorable’. Just like my previous attempt at school, with the Navy Reserves I was not doing it for myself. After a few years I was a full-blown alcoholic and couldn’t hold a job. I lost friends, relationships, went in and out of sobriety programs and have been to detox so many times I can’t put a number on it. I’ve had periods of sobriety, and still always seemed to be missing something; myself, which is exactly what Mr. Woo has given me the chance to find. Having him as a mentor has been a wonderful blessing. He has helped me find out more about myself and have a more open-minded and positive way of viewing life. With his patience and help I have enrolled at The University of Kansas and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I also have the privilege of helping Mr. Woo with his program in Douglas County, KS and look forward to the future working with him to help others and spread his message as well as moving forward with my own future.
Dalton S.
My name is Dalton Shows and I have struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol for 12 years now. I am 24 years old and have been in and out of recovery programs since the age 0f 14. I’ve been in over eight programs for drug and alcohol addiction, I’ve been homeless many times and haven’t been able to achieve my goals or plans because of my drug abuse. Three months ago I was in detox again, feeling completely hopeless that I would ever have a successful and happy life. While in detox I met a man named Kar Woo. He let me in to his program, invited me to stay at the Bohdi House and asked me what I wanted to do with my life. That’s not what I expected as someone who’s been in a lot of sober living programs; I’m used to hearing “these are the rules, rent is “x” amount, you need to find a job immediately and go to so many meetings a week”. By Mr. Woo asking me what I wanted to do I was able to awaken to the possibility of achieving my goals of being a personal trainer again. Fitness is my passion and a big part of my recovery, so what better way for me to give back and have the career that I’ve always dreamed of. None of this would be possible without Mr. Woo and AHH. I am currently enrolled in school to pursue my B.S. degree in exercise science and sports medicine. I’m very grateful to have this amazing opportunity.
Nick A.
Ehren S.
My name is Ehren Schwarz, I am a 23 year old male who is at The Bodhi House through the Artist Helping The Homeless program. I am originally from a small town in Nebraska and after struggling with addiction for 5+ years it landed me homeless on the streets of Kansas City. I had made several attempts to find a program that could help me stay clean and sober but it seemed that everywhere I went it was a “One Size Fits All” program that completely ignored my personal life goals. I firmly believe the best way to stay away from drugs and alcohol is to make my life worth living sober and accomplishing the short and long term goals I have. I have put together some good clean time in the past but ran into a barrier of where to go from there. Before meeting Kar Woo I had been living on the streets and sleeping in parks. Sleeping only a few hours a week and eating about the same basis, which I knew wasn’t where I belonged. I had checked myself into St. Luke’s in Smithville which is where I met Mr. Woo, unlike any other person I had talked to he asked me where I saw myself in the future. This was a shock to me as I didn’t even see it as a possibility to even start on my goal to earn a degree. I was a successful athlete and very inspiring person so I have always felt that teaching and coaching would be where I would belong. They say: “if you enjoy your work you never work a day in your life.” My so-called dream to be a positive impact on tomorrow’s youth is becoming more and more real every day. Having this feeling just inspires me to work all the more to achieve this goal, being able to inspire kids to steer clear of the path I chose. If I can assist one person to stay on the right path, then I feel I will have accomplished what God put me on this earth to do.
Ben R.
My names Benjamin Ruder. I am currently enrolled at Metropolitan Community college. My degree is in Graphic design and I want to use it to do photography. I got into the Artist Helping the Homeless program because I struggled with my Methamphetamine addiction. Kar Woo has taught me a new way of thinking and is helping me to achieve my goals one day at a time. Sobriety and the program has got me back into college and working towards a brighter tomorrow.
Johnny W.
Johnny Waggoner is a 26-year old student from Bonner Springs, KS. He is the youngest of four and became homeless when his family used the tough love approach while he was struggling with addiction meth and Suboxone.
He is currently living at the Artists Helping the Homeless apartment building, Finnegan Place, and is pursuing a career in social work. He is undecided between majoring in either psychology or nonprofit management.
Kyle D.
I just finished up a fasttrac program at the UMKC Innovation & Entrepreneurship campus and I am in the process of writing a business proposal for a food truck. I am also attending a 12-week long business validation course being held at the Plex Pod. I am currently enrolled at Penn Valley where I am continuing to pursue my education. One of the classes I am enrolled in is College 100 and I had just finished some career assessment testing and the four careers that match 4 out of 5 of the tests are pointing me into the medical field; Industrial Therapist, Manual Arts Therapist, Physical Therapist and a General Internist. Although cooking is my passion, I love helping people. I’m going to continue with my current business proposal/idea and possibly switch my schooling major to a Therapist occupation? All I know is that I want to work towards a career/occupation that doesn’t feel like a job……