Jen Kurks is writing a new chapter in her journey with KPEP. After completing hospitality vocational training and graduating from the residential program in 2018, she became manager of the Walnut & Park Café—a role she still holds today. She has been a key partner to Food Service Director Casey Grisolono in integrating hospitality students into daily café operations.
Recently, Jen achieved a goal she set shortly after graduation: becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Coach. She now provides group and one-on-one coaching several times each week at KPEP’s Chicago Ave. facility.
Jenna McFarland, a 2019 KPEP graduate, also earned her Certified Peer Recovery Coach credential and is coaching men at KPEP’s Muskegon facility through Samaritan Way. Like Jen, she completed the hospitality vocational training program and later worked for KPEP as kitchen coordinator in Muskegon.
In a 2020 interview, Jenna said of her food service role, “Through this work, I’m able to show people that there is an opportunity to grow and move past their previous experience.”
Now, as Certified Peer Recovery Coaches, Jenna and Jen are using both lived experience and professional training to teach recovery skills and offer hope.
Congratulations to both of these dedicated professionals. Watch for more on their journey—and what it takes to become a CPRC—in upcoming issues.