Getting to Know Shavon Carr, Job Readiness Coordinator
"My daughter was murdered right here in this community, a place she grew to love. It's the main reason I go so hard for our youth in the community. I feel like its my purpose."
Shavon Carr joined YES in December 2018 as an Outreach Specialist in our Street Outreach Center. This summer, she was promoted to her current role as Job Readiness Coordinator.
In her new role, Shavon said she is looking forward to connecting our youth with as many resources as possible to gain stability and become self-sufficient.
"Being in a position to show our youth the steps to becoming job ready is like preparing them for a lifetime -- something that sticks with you forever," she said. "Knowing you help provide the tools that will forever assist a youth in their future life is an awesome feeling."
Shavon was driven to help young people because of her own traumatic experience. Her teenage daughter, Eriana, was killed by gun violence in 2012.
"After losing my 16-year-old daughter to gun violence, I knew for sure I would serve youth in any way I could," she said.
Originally from Chicago, this proud mother of two and grandmother of three said the most enjoyable part of working for YES is definitely the team she works with as well as the opportunity to help.
Shavon is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha while also writing a book, so free time is hard to come by. But she makes time for her passions -- shopping, traveling and fashion.
And helping young people who remind her every day of her daughter.
"I take a strong interest in the memories and pictures in the 20-plus family and friends I've lost through the years," she said. "Positive affirmations keep me motivated; the visual gives me life."