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When Pretty Tough Ladies first began, it was out of humble beginnings to help women and children in need of items, including clothing, out of McKayla’s own personal closet and a posting on Facebook. As the need grew, so did donations from the community to help more women. From April to June 2022, the closet grew from helping a few to helping 40+ women a week.
Pretty Tough Ladies helps not only women who have survived and escaped domestic violence, but also women struggling with divorces, child custody battles, and poverty. One thing that separates PTL from other rotating clothing closets, is the fact that they help not only women but also children up to age 10, with clothing, shoes, and hygiene items.
Although McKayla began this mission to serve on her own originally, it quickly became evident that others shared her passion in wanting to serve others in the nearby community. Shoni Childrey, a fellow Sandy native, dropped off donation items in May 2022, to the Pretty Tough Ladies store, and while conversing, requested to spend time volunteering and assisting McKayla, as needed. Although Shoni faces her own physical struggles while battling Muscular Dystrophy, she is a great asset and is now a board member to PTL.
In June 2022, Jamii Stock, a single mom to five children for 10 years saw a Facebook post on a fellow service page to help mothers in need, and also felt the desire and call to action to serve others in the community, Pretty Tough Ladies .
Through networking and dropping off donations to the local Goodwill, McKayla was introduced to Jennifer Parker, a real estate agent with amazing ties to the community through non-profit service, investment partners, and other services such as The Boys and Girls Club. Jennifer has a huge heart and big desire to give back to the women and children of Utah.
Now together as a united front, these amazing ladies strive to meet the high demand and rapidly growing need of assistance for women and children to get back on their feet. The overarching goal is to have several locations throughout Utah, and eventually all across the country.
Our Mission is to empower women and children to have hope for their futures by providing resources and meeting their essential needs.
-Founder McKayla (Julian) Jukes