The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One-on-one coaches help foster kids make it
SEATTLE — Tayonna Gaunt wants to buy her first car before enrolling in beauty school and starting a cosmetology business. But, as an alumna of the foster care system, Gaunt can’t rely on a network of family and friends to help with a down payment.
That’s why she keeps Lauren Ross on speed dial.
For the past several months, Ross has worked as Gaunt’s personal coach through Treehouse, a Seattle-based organization that supports children through foster care and to their high school graduation. Last year, Treehouse started the Launch Success program, which pairs each graduate with a one-on-one coach to help as they look for stable housing, pursue a degree or college credential and work toward a living wage.
Ross helped Gaunt research what kind of business license she would need for her future makeup line, and the pair then filed for a sole proprietorship.
As for obtaining a car, Ross helped Gaunt draw up a list of goals like getting her driver’s license, looking into insurance and car loans, saving some of her own money. Each one that she checks off will come with small stipends to chip away at the larger purchase.
The pair also brainstormed about community events where Gaunt can showcase her beautician skills and find future clients.
Alex Cornell, who grew up in foster care and is now a coach, helped a participant buy a specific pair of khakis and a red shirt to start working at Target.
“That’s what your parents would typically help with,” she said.
Other participants have requested gift cards to pay for cleaning supplies, bedsheets and toiletries for a new apartment. Another enrolled in Seattle University, but couldn’t afford a soldering kit for engineering classes. “We’re able to cover those unexpected costs that most of us just consider basic things,” Cornell said.
For now, Gaunt intends to focus on her new job. But she’s already identified the beauty school she wants to attend, and she knows Ross can help when she’s more comfortable with enrolling.
Launch Success will offer her a coach until she turns 26, although by then she plans to boost her credit score. And she has already picked a name for her future business: Jaseree Cosmetics, in honor of the brother she lost three years ago.