Deanna Kloostra
Bachelor of Science in Human Services, 2007
Personal challenges, life experiences and a desire to help others inspired alumna Deanna Kloostra to start her own online business, Abused Swan. The organization provides coaching, support and resources to abused, non-custodial mothers in Michigan.
Deanna knows all too well what it’s like to be one of those mothers. She has been embroiled in a custody battle for the past 10 years after separating from an abusive spouse. Her experiences firsthand of the challenges of wading through the court system and the knowledge she gained are what she shares with other women through Abused Swan.
"The mission of this website is it to educate women on how the court system works against them, to promote education for women, their family members, and the public, and to create products and services just for non-custodial mothers,” shares Deanna.
She realized that getting her business off the ground would require an education to provide her the knowledge and the tools to be successful. Plus, it gave her the credibility she needed for her business, shares Deanna. She earned her bachelor’s degree with University of Phoenix and is now a legal domestic abuse specialist.
Deanna is also highly involved in legislative efforts to simplify the custody process and to make it easier for abused and disadvantaged mothers to get assistance and the same fair treatment that abusive fathers receive.
