Some people work hard because they have big dreams for the future. Others work hard because there are people depending on them. For Shanyea, it's both.
Shanyea is a single mother who has spent years working to provide a stable life for herself & her children. Yet even though she's been with her current employer for over 5 years, steadily growing into a team lead position, the rising cost of living have made it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Bills, groceries, and transportation costs kept growing faster than her pay. And still, rather than give up or settle, Shanyea took on a second job to help provide for her family.
But parenting is more than just putting food on the table! Shanyea is deeply involved in her children's lives, doing everything she can to make sure they have opportunities to participate in things like soccer and other extracurricular activities. Her work schedule, which often includes weekends, means she can't always be there in person for every event, but she invests into arranging rides for them and making sure they are getting to where they need to go.
Shanyea has been doing all of this for years without a car.
Her advocate, Rhonale with McKinney Housing Authority, has worked alongside Shanyea for more than a year and a half through the Family Self-Sufficiency program. During that time, he has watched Shanyea increase her income, stay disciplined in paying down debt, and make difficult sacrifices to improve the financial future of her children. Even when transportation has been a challenge, Shanyea has found ways to get to work, relying on rides from friends and family, Uber, walking and public transportation to maintain her employment.
Shanyea is exactly the kind of person we love getting to come alongside at OnRamp DFW. She is resourceful, disciplined, and incredibly hardworking. We were honored to help remove one of the significant barriers standing between her and greater stability.
Shanyea received a well-maintained Honda Accord, generously donated by a local family. Reliable transportation will give her more flexibility to manage her work responsibilities, support her children's activities, and continue building a better future for her family.
We're grateful for Shanyea and the example she sets through her commitment to and determination to keep moving forward.
We're glad to have a small part in making her already heavy load a little lighter.
