A new Oklahoma business is blossoming in more ways than one – it trains and hires homeless people to break down social stigmas and build up lives.A flower shop is dedicated not just to its product but to its people.“Every single bouquet and arrangement we will create dignity and employment for our vendors,” Curbside Chronicle Director Ranya Forgotson said.Curbside Flowers opened its doors in mid-December on Classen near Northwest Fourth in Oklahoma City. It has given new life to people like Marsha Walker.“Oh, I love it. It has made me, yeah, get my life back together, you might say,” Walker said.It’s a community effort that was started by The Homeless Alliance and its magazine “Curbside Chronicles.”“We employ people transitioning out of homelessness,” Forgotson said.And the flower shop sets them up with an education in retail floral design at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.“Get to go back to school, get that education. And now, they’re able to enter into this job, and we’re working alongside them to help them build their job skills and think about what’s next,” Forgotson said.“It’s given me my independence back, I guess,” Walker said. “After being homeless, that kind of takes your independence away. You’re having to rely on everyone else, and now I don’t have to.”Curbside Flowers creates bouquets for both individuals and events, wreaths for special occasions, and now they’re gearing up for Valentine's Day. The flowers won’t last forever, but the impact just might.“So, whenever you buy flowers from Curbside Flowers, you’re helping create job opportunities for men and women working to end their homelessness,” Forgotson said.“Some people say it has been a blessing, and I think it has been a blessing to us all,” Walker added.You can stop in, order online or they’ll deliver. More information can be found here.A grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation helped get Curbside Flowers up and running.
A new Oklahoma business is blossoming in more ways than one – it trains and hires homeless people to break down social stigmas and build up lives.
A flower shop is dedicated not just to its product but to its people.
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“Every single bouquet and arrangement we will create dignity and employment for our vendors,” Curbside Chronicle Director Ranya Forgotson said.
Curbside Flowers opened its doors in mid-December on Classen near Northwest Fourth in Oklahoma City. It has given new life to people like Marsha Walker.
“Oh, I love it. It has made me, yeah, get my life back together, you might say,” Walker said.
It’s a community effort that was started by The Homeless Alliance and its magazine “Curbside Chronicles.”
“We employ people transitioning out of homelessness,” Forgotson said.
And the flower shop sets them up with an education in retail floral design at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.
“Get to go back to school, get that education. And now, they’re able to enter into this job, and we’re working alongside them to help them build their job skills and think about what’s next,” Forgotson said.
“It’s given me my independence back, I guess,” Walker said. “After being homeless, that kind of takes your independence away. You’re having to rely on everyone else, and now I don’t have to.”
Curbside Flowers creates bouquets for both individuals and events, wreaths for special occasions, and now they’re gearing up for Valentine's Day. The flowers won’t last forever, but the impact just might.
“So, whenever you buy flowers from Curbside Flowers, you’re helping create job opportunities for men and women working to end their homelessness,” Forgotson said.
“Some people say it has been a blessing, and I think it has been a blessing to us all,” Walker added.
You can stop in, order online or they’ll deliver. More information can be found here.
A grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation helped get Curbside Flowers up and running.
January 13, 2021 at 11:52AM
https://www.koco.com/article/flower-boutique-trains-hires-homeless-people-to-break-down-social-stigmas-and-build-up-lives/35197509
Flower boutique trains, hires homeless people to break down social stigmas and build up lives - KOCO Oklahoma City
https://news.google.com/search?q=Flower&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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