Shaleese Beasley-Rockett has been one of my best friends since I first met her in 2002. Man, how time flies. We were from the same city (Des Moines, IA), but had never met until we went to school together at William Jewell College. We could have been unlikely friends since we both had such differing views of the city we grew up in. However, since we both love to listen and learn from others we could take our experiences and bring them together in a way that improved both of our world views. And we have been supporting and loving each other ever since. You can read a bit more about Shaleese and the awesomeness that resonates from her in the feature I did on her in 2012, here (in my blog archive).
I am now proud to say that Shaleese has taken the entrepreneurial route in a way that may not seem like she’s building up a business, but building up a community. After receiving her Masters in Social Work she started a women’s group called SnAP in the fall of 2011 with the purpose being to reach underserved women within the Kansas City community and shaping each mind to become stronger. Shaleese co-facilitates this program with Ms. Sylvia Goodloe, LMSW. It is part of Reconciliation Services.
Since it's conception, SnAP has served 75 women in the Greater Kansas City Area. Each group has 8 to 10 women and runs for 8 weeks. The sessions help participants identify distorted attitudes and alter perceptions. This process is obtained by applying awareness through journaling, narrative, self instruction, brain development activities, and imagery.
SnAP stands for Strength, eNergy, and Power. The mission statement is “to increase women’s understanding of how trauma and depression impact the mind, body, and soul.” And, with each session, Shaleese and Sylvia are definitely improving the lives of women in the Greater Kansas City Area, while inspiring their loved ones around them.
Keep it up Beaz. You’re a star.
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