Shante's Story: Healing as a Pathway to Stability
When Shante first connected with the Building Wealth and Health Network (the Network), the expectation was practical support: tools, structure, and guidance to keep moving toward long-held goals. What emerged was something deeper — and just as essential.
As a community health worker, Shante already understood the power of meeting people where they are. Through an AmeriCorps program connection, the Network came into view, offering a space that centered both financial growth and whole-person wellness. That combination mattered. Conversations about health created the trust and comfort needed to be honest about what was really standing in the way.
The program offered more than information. It opened a door to vulnerability — especially around mental health, trauma, and the ways past experiences can shape present choices. The link between emotional well-being and financial progress became clearer over time.
"Healing was the key — once I faced my trauma, my financial goals felt possible," Shante shared.
Confidence and hope began to replace uncertainty. Goals that once felt out of reach started to feel attainable — not because the goals changed, but because the support and inner healing made room to pursue them with clarity. Tears were part of the process. Growth often is. What mattered most was having a place where those moments were safe, and where healing could be honored as part of the journey toward stability.
Now, Shante is working to launch a health and wellness coaching business—supporting families with practical self-care strategies that promote healing, recovery from trauma, and overall wellness. “It’s about giving families basic tools they can actually use.”
Shante’s experience reflects what the Building Wealth and Health Network is designed to do: create space for people to learn, reflect, and rebuild — financially, emotionally, and communally. Shared struggles became a bridge, not a barrier. Progress came through both practical tools and the courage to look back, name what happened, and move forward.
