Shawn is a busy mom and grandmother that loves and cares for her family and community.
Working at the same manufacturing plant for 13 years, Shawn is a loyal employee to her company and loves talking about her job. She’s also passionate about community activism and often spends her time away from work making a difference in the lives of others. Her son is very involved in community causes, and as she says, “I do whatever I can do to support him.”
“I’ve always been concerned about our community, especially our kids … they’re our future, and they should be a main focus,” says Shawn. “I do whatever I’m able to do, when I’m not working.”
With her passion for kids, Shawn is naturally devoted to her family that includes three adult children (two sons and one daughter) and an athletic 10-year-old grandson.
When Shawn is not working at her job or in her community, you’ll often find her at her grandson’s sporting events that take place all throughout the year. She loves watching him play basketball and has even been able to cheer him on to a national basketball championship that he and his team won last year.
Shawn currently lives in an old rental that comes with the constant need for repairs and challenges that easily affect everyday life and paychecks. She is continuously having to pay higher utility bills because of the type of house she is able to rent.
But now, Shawn is excited to work toward her “new beginning.”
“I’m finally able to make a brand-new start. I’ve raised my kids and done the best I could … But I always wanted to own a house. And all I’ve wanted is just somewhere decent to live, where (utilities) are affordable.”
She’s already started buying “little things” for her new home. And with the help of UT Housing and UTK Habitat Campus Chapter volunteers, Shawn will build her home and turn her dreams of a peaceful and affordable home into a reality.