By Xinyi (Ethel) Jiang
Medill Reports

Karli Butler is a survivor of violence and was attacked twice in 2016. The first time, she was kidnapped by a group of men in retaliation against her then boyfriend.

Months later, she was attacked again, in an incident tied to the first attack. She was held at a gun point and assaulted with acid. That attack gave her third-degree burns to 30 percent of her body.

After she recovered, she became more than just a survivor. She found a place where she can be a thriver. That place is Curt’s Cafe.

“My experience motivated me to want to serve, to help other survivors of crimes,” said Butler.

At Curt’s Cafe, Butler advises young, at-risk women in a 90-day life-skills training program.