FADE INTO A FRESH START
After incarceration, Darryl wasn’t just looking for a job, he was looking for a way to move forward with purpose.
Darryl is in the early stages of a 2,000-hour barber apprenticeship at The Man Shop in Wenatchee, working toward a career that first caught his attention during a barbering program at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton. Cutting hair wasn’t just a way to pass time, it sparked something real. “My biggest reward in this whole situation is exactly what it was when it hooked me in prison,” he says. “You see someone pick up confidence. You put confidence in that person.”
With support from the Wenatchee Valley Reentry Center and SkillSource, Darryl was connected to The Man Shop’s first local apprenticeship program, a chance to turn that early interest into a long-term, licensed profession. Funding from SkillSource helped cover tuition through the Atarashii Apprentice Program and provided essential barbering tools, making it possible to begin training without the financial hurdles that often block the way.
Mikaila Thompson, regional manager for The Man Shops, shared, “The benefit of apprenticeship is the sheer number of cuts they get to do — quantity builds skill. I wasn’t sure how much support was available when I first reached out, but SkillSource showed up. For Darryl specifically, he’s the kind of person who multiplies a hand up into something bigger — not just in his career, but in his life.”
“This whole journey has been a ‘pinch-me’ moment,” Darryl says. “It started with a dream I nearly deleted, but with the mentorship of Makaila and Jennifer at The Man Shop, and the support from Heidi and the team at SkillSource, it turned into something real. They didn’t just open a door, they removed the barriers that would’ve kept me on the outside. Now I’m not just holding clippers I’m building a future thanks to their belief and investment in me.”
The apprenticeship offers more than a paycheck, it offers structure, mentorship, and a trade he’s proud to learn. As Darryl continues developing his skills and growing his client base, each cut moves him closer to the kind of stability he once thought was out of reach.
For businesses looking to build a skilled workforce and for individuals ready to work and learn, registered apprenticeships like this offer a powerful way to grow together.
