Tragedy to Triumph: Shannon B.

Shannon B. had a strong, loving

upbringing where she and her 7 siblings

were supported well by her mom and dad.

However, tragedy struck when she was 15 years old: her dad died. What was once a happy family turned into her worst nightmare.

The devastation led to mental health and living challenges within her family. This new reality filled Shannon with disappointment, grief, and anger. Her life thereafter began to spiral out of control and she realized she needed to do something about it – that’s when Shannon called StepUp.

“I initially thought StepUp would be just another program that looked down on individuals in need and only cared about meeting certain quotas,” she shares. “I was totally wrong!” Shannon realized that StepUp invests in the lives of individuals and takes the time to teach life skills that cultivate personal and professional growth. She also observed that StepUp is interested in fostering well-being while also providing the tools to achieve any life goal.

Shannon wasted no time applying the skills she learned at StepUp. Since graduating in 2014, her list of accomplishments are many: becoming employed, establishing a bank account, increasing her credit score, and attaining car and home ownership, among others. Today she works as a counselor in the mental health and substance field and recently began a new journey as a wellness facilitator. She also co-chairs the Young Professionals of StepUp.

As Shannon looks back over where she was and where she is now, she is grateful she chose to join StepUp: “StepUp gave me the new start I needed in life.”