Tulsa Nonprofit Works To Give Women Second Chance Despite Pandemic

Some businesses said they've been forced to close permanently due to the pandemic.

One Tulsa couple had to close their restaurant, but are now managing a different one. Take 2 Café employs women who have recently gotten out of prison. The women are enrolled in a six-month program with the non-profit. Typically, they have six women enrolled at a time, but because of COVID, there are currently two women in the program right now.

The behind-the-scenes prep work at Take 2 Café is more than just getting food ready for lunchtime.

"I didn't really have a place to go once I got out so this program helped. I was kind of worried and kind of scared about how I was going to start all over again," said Victoria Swindell.

In about two months Victoria Swindell will graduate the program. Tulsa's Resonance non-profit started the program to give women a second chance after they get out of prison. The program gives the women a job, at Take 2 Café.

"The people we work with become our family so it's going to be hard to watch them transition out of here," said Dawn Dittus. Dawn and her husband, Tom, knew a little bit about the program before taking over management roles at the restaurant.

"Well there was actually an ad in the paper for a general manager of Take 2 and we were looking for something to do after swamp house," said Tom Dittus. COVID forced the couple to close their downtown restaurant. Now they're working with the Take 2 women and helping them build a new life. "That's the goal that's what we want to see happen, but it's going to hurt my heart to see them go," said Dawn Dittus.

As for Victoria, she said the program and working in the restaurant have taken away her insecurities about the future. "I feel ready to graduate and I feel confident that I can be stable and I can maintain a household," said Swindell.

Resonance and Take 2 typically hold a benefit this time of year, but that's had to switch to a virtual event. They also said they're already getting pre-orders for holiday pies.