05/20/2026
To my community,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it feels like the right time to speak from the heart about where the S.H.E. shed has been and where we are going.
When I started this journey in 2019, it was a move of survival. I was fighting to be free from domestic violence and sexual assault, reporting monsters and making seven moves in 2020 just to feel safe. My mission was born out of that necessity, and for years, S.H.E. stood for "Surviving Human Evil." I went back to school at the Mount for a Human Service degree and non-profit certification to turn that pain into help for others.
But life has a way of testing our resolve. Beyond those early battles, I have endured a horrific 80 mph drunk driving accident, a broken back, the challenge of a brain tumor, and the devastating loss of my nephew, Mikey. I spent years silent and frozen, hampered by a lack of empathy from officials and the sheer weight of my own pain.
Yet, I am still alive, and I am not giving up.
This past year, I have been on a journey of deep, focused healing. By leading with love, remaining 10 months alcohol-free, and placing 100% of my trust in my God, Jehovah, I have learned that the most important step in helping others is to put my own mask on first. I am no longer just surviving; I am Safe, Healing, and Empowered.
Because I have evolved, our mission must evolve with me. S.H.E. now reflects that light.
The S.H.E. shed will be closed for a little bit while I catch a breath. When we resume, I am shifting to a self-serve, cafeteria-style approach. This change allows me to set a pace that respects my health and well-being, ensuring I am operating from a place of strength rather than being trapped in the kitchen.
Mikey is with me in spirit, cheering me on, and I know now that we are never truly alone in our battles.
Thank you for walking this path with me. I am so ready to spread my wings, and I hope you will continue to join me in this new chapter.
