Women Leading Change at Calvary: Jas Shackelford

1. What is your role at Calvary?

Program Manager at New Foundations

2. What does Women’s History Month mean to you in your work at Calvary?

It means celebrating and honoring the sacrifices that incredible women have made to advance women’s empowerment. This is an organization run by women in service to women, and celebrating WHM is a reminder that women in community working together for a common cause is a powerful thing.

3. What does empowerment look like in your day-to-day work with the women you support?

I manage the DV transitional housing program, so I see women every day that are rebuilding their lives, taking back ownership of their independence, and striving towards establishing solid foundations for themselves and their future. Encouraging women to keep putting one foot in front of the other (even when it’s scary) is daily empowerment.

4. What is one way you’ve seen women support or uplift each other in the program?

In our program we have “Resident of the Month” celebrations in which a house resident is selected and celebrated for her accomplishments. We have a party and the other residents really pour into the RoM and highlight ways that she’s impacted them and the house. It’s a really nice way to help the women feel visible/supported, and to make public note of their accomplishments by both staff and other residents. 

What is something the women you work with have taught you that has stayed with you?

That things could always be worse, and it serves as a reminder to be present and put things into perspective.

Donate this Women’s History Month by supporting women rebuilding their lives after homelessness.