About

Thank ^you for Stopping by!

How It All Started:

When I unexpectedly became a single mom, almost everything I thought I knew about myself suddenly became a question instead of a statement.

I didn’t know how I would raise 3 boys. I didn’t know how all the bills would get paid. I didn’t know if I could keep attending church. I didn’t know if my friends would stay. I didn’t know when life would be less chaotic.

Those were some of the big things. Logistically, in the smallest of things, life was now a question mark as well.

How would I make drop off at the daycare and still get to my teaching job in time?

What would I do when one of my kids was sick but I had no more days left?

Who was going to show the boys how to shave? How to stand up to potty train? How to tie a tie?

So many questions, and my brain was in total freeze mode for months from the sheer shock of my reality. Grief was right on its heels. This wasn’t the way I’d planned my life to go.

The turning point came sitting in my counselor’s office almost a year later.
He told me that I needed friends more than I needed a counselor. That was the shove I needed to get out of my own head and make an effort to connect meaningfully with other women.

It started with a spaghetti dinner at my tiny townhouse. We had great conversations, laughed until we cried and pretty much ignored the circus of kids swirling around us. That planted a seed of passion in me to help women be seen, known, and loved deeply by one another.

Community became my rally cry. Not the surface level kind. The “I’ll go to war for you- by showing up, by listening, by telling you the truth, by praying, by helping you draw boundaries, by sharing what I have, by not leaving, by making you giggle when you want to scream- that’s the battle that true sisters enter on behalf of one another, and that’s the one I’ll fight for you.”

In community, I found answers to many of the questions I was asking. God would provide for me and my boys most often through the love of my own circle. One of the ways He responds to our deepest needs is to show up for us through people- and when we pull back or we disconnect, we miss not only connection, but we miss seeing Him more fully.

God made us for relationships- to him, and to one another. We screw up both all the time when we try to do it on our own. But when we show up open-handed and open-hearted, we find a kind of community that’s worth fighting for.

SHINE is a community committed to fight for one another- and for the ideal that relationships really are worth it. I continue to champion SHINE with joy as a board member.

The best is yet to come!

With much joy & great anticipation,

xo, Suzy

what ^we’re up to

In 2025

For 2025, our key focus areas are:

Family – Offering parenting strategies and workshops within a supportive group, empowering moms to grow in confidence and build deeper connections with their children.
Finances – Providing tools and guidance for financial literacy, including budgeting, debt management, and savings, to help moms achieve financial stability and independence.
Faith – Cultivating a faith-based community where single moms can strengthen their spiritual lives through Bible studies, shared discussions, and mutual encouragement, helping them lead their families with spiritual confidence.

At SHINE, we believe that through community support, confidence building, and practical skill development, single moms can lead their families with the strength they need to flourish in all areas of life.

there ^is more

For you, your family, and our community

At SHINE, our mission is to create a community for single moms, equipping them to lead their families toward wholeness. Our vision is to create a thriving community where single moms are empowered to grow in faith, strengthen their families, and build financial stability, all while connecting and supporting one another. By fostering this sense of community, we empower moms to face challenges and build strong, healthy families.

We exist to create access to community for single moms, helping them lead their families with strength, confidence, courage and wholeness. By fostering this sense of community combined with practical skill development, we empower moms to face challenges and build strong, healthy families.

We believe there is more…

There is more life to be experienced in community—in relationships that uplift, support, and empower.

There is more confidence waiting to be discovered as moms realize their capabilities and potential.

There is more they can provide for their children—more security, more opportunities, and more love rooted in strength and resilience.

There is more than just surviving each day; there is thriving in every aspect of life.

There is more peace of mind that comes from financial stability.

There is more hope found in Jesus.

There is more joy in knowing that they are not alone on this journey.

At SHINE, we help single moms see and seize the “more” that awaits them and their families through our three focus areas: Family, Finance and Faith.

The SHINE Team

Executive director

Anna

Anna joined the SHINE team in April 2025. But her journey with SHINE didn’t begin there. She has been a part of SHINE since the beginning: volunteering and supporting in whatever way she could. She is a passionate speaker, encourager, mentor and the host of the More Life podcast. She carries a global mindset and a personal mission to empower women and bear witness to God’s intimate and transformative work in their lives.

As our Executive Director, Anna supports our team of employees and volunteers while working closely with the board to ensure that SHINE is functioning at it’s best. Additionally, she is honored to serve the single moms within the SHINE community, where single moms are empowered to grow in faith, strength, stability and connection; transforming the next generation.

operations director

Lorie

Joining SHINE in September 2021, Lorie transitioned from corporate America to a role that truly speaks to her heart—supporting single moms. Raised as a preacher’s kid, her lifelong passion for helping others, especially those in vulnerable situations, has found a fulfilling outlet at SHINE. Witnessing the transformative impact on the families we serve is her greatest reward.

As our Operations Director, Lorie ensures the seamless execution of our programs, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. She also leads our finance program, equipping single moms with the tools and confidence to achieve financial stability. Additionally, she finds joy in providing childcare during our SHINE Night events, creating a safe and nurturing space for both moms and their children.