Aug 31, 2020
Born
and raised in Queens, New York, Karen Harper came west at the
urging of a friend. Looking down at the landscape of the Reno,
Nevada desert from a hot air balloon, Karen loved it.
While
in Reno, Karen was accepted in the Job
Corps vocational program
where she tried her hand at welding
and culinary arts. Upon graduating, Karen started work with one of
the local casinos and thought her cooking skills would take her
places. Karen left the casino kitchen for institutional cooking in
skilled nursing facilities where she found less
pressure.
Karen
was introduced to 29 Palms by her sister, Carrie, who lived there
running a cleaning business. Carrie would invite Karen to visit,
but as Karen tells it, she would end up helping Carrie at her
cleaning jobs instead of just 'visiting'. On one of those
trips, Karen made a decision to move to 29 Palms. She applied for a
job, bought a home- now she owns three of them.
Karen
leaned on her culinary skills while attending school to become a
teacher. By this time, Karen had a family and the 12 hour days in
food service didn't provide enough time with her family. At one
point, Karen also left the desert for Georgia and Virginia,
eventually returning to 29 Palms.
After
being approached numerous times by various women in difficult
circumstances, Karen and her sister Carrie realized they needed to
create an organization that would give these women a place to be
heard and receive direction. Women of Color Global 29 is a
non-profit, women’s empowerment organization, headquartered at
Jeanine's Beauty business, Jeanine's Beauty , in 29 Palms.
They were inspired to start the organization after being approached
by women in their community who were looking for work, having
trouble making ends meet or managing their children. The non-profit
serves as a resource to build women’s confidence to get the help
they need.
If you
or someone you know (under the age of 23) are interested in the Job
Corps program, google ‘Job Corps’ and the largest city near
you. (ex: 'job corps southern California') to find a program
near you.
Or visit their website: jobcorps.gov, linked above.
Or visit their website: jobcorps.gov, linked above.
Find:
Women of Color Global
29
Karen
and Carries business, Jeanine’s Beauty Supply is located at 6470
Adobe Road, 29 Palms.
They
are open Monday-Friday 11-630, Saturday 10-530. The are closed on
Sunday.