Shane discovered career direction, confidence, and community at The Sharing Center

Unsure of what came next

Before enrolling in ProjectRISE, Shane was feeling stuck. He wanted to grow, contribute, and find his path, but wasn’t sure where to start.

“I was looking for a passion,” he shared. “It was clear I liked helping people, but I didn’t know what avenue to go down.”

That changed when his mom invited him to a Samaritan Tour at The Sharing Center. Curious about the programs offered, Shane decided to give it a shot—and walked into what would become a pivotal experience in his life.

Skills for life and work

Through the ProjectRISE program, Shane received much more than career guidance. He built soft skills like emotional intelligence, practiced mock interviews, created a resume, and even attended a job fair where he applied those skills in real time.

But it wasn’t just about the job prep. It was the people.

“The highlight for me was the people,” Shane said. “Everybody had a story. Nobody was better than anyone else. I can get behind that.”

The connections he formed with classmates, mentors, and staff helped Shane gain clarity about his strengths. He now envisions a future in counseling or social work, combining his communication skills and passion for helping others into a meaningful career.

Related resource:
Building brighter futures through ProjectRISE

Learning, growing, giving back

Shane credits the emotional intelligence workshops and group discussions as powerful turning points.

“One of the speakers talked about regulating emotions. That stuck with me,” he said. “I realized walking in the morning helps me think clearly. It helps me make smarter choices.”

With this clarity and confidence, Shane is taking new steps forward, focused on building a stable life, going back to school, and giving back to others.

And through it all, he remains grounded in gratitude.

“I’m thankful for my family. For the people at the Sharing Center. For having a place to go that actually cares.”

Learn more:
Finding strength through the storm: Tish’s story

2025’s ProjectRise graduates

Why support programs like ProjectRISE?

For people like Shane, it’s simple.

“Empathy is something we need more of,” he said. “The Sharing Center is making a difference. By giving back, you help someone feel seen, supported, and stronger.”

Watch Shane’s story and other powerful client testimonials

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