“My number one goal is to make sure my children are happy,” says Shannon. What a beautiful way for a mother to express her love for her children.
Shannon grew up in church with a loving family. However, she is the first person to tell you she does not make the best financial decisions, and that did get her in trouble. In 2011, Shannon was arrested for passing bad checks and spent 14 months in prison. Her oldest child was just a baby. She grew up a lot during that time. “I realized I had another person to care for.”
Shannon will tell you she never has a bad day. Although there was a time depression was very real. Her mom was her “other half.” Shannon and her children lived with her mom and they worked together as well. In 2015, that all changed when her mother passed away. That sent Shannon into a depression.
This great loss, led to her losing her home and her income. Over the past five years, Shannon and her children have been in the Mission three times. This last time, her daughter was the one who asked if they could go back to shelter because she recognized their living situation wasn’t very good and knew they would have a safe place to sleep.
Shannon thankfully says the staff has helped her family with more than just food and shelter. “Miss Linda and the staff have all helped me deal with my depression. They’ve always supported my decisions and ask how my kids are doing. They are absolutely incredible and go above and beyond for the guests.”
When you speak with Shannon, she lights up the room. She works hard and even while in shelter, she makes sure the kids “stay very busy.” Landon has football and Madyson has dance. They both enjoy spending time at the Boys and Girls Club until mom is done working.
Shannon’s hard work and setting her kids’ happiness as her goal, has paid off. She was just notified she received a housing grant and her family will be moving into a 3-bedroom home before Christmas! Working part time as a hostess, Shannon is still hoping for a full time job as a server. “I love talking with people and I do very well as a server.”
“The future for me is letting my past go, enjoy my life with my kids and make sure they have a stable home. I see God providing that for me.”