Meet Shaquilla

Our team met Shaquilla when she came for an interview to be a part of the Faith and Finances class in August. From the day we met her, she was open, honest, and vulnerable about the stories that had formed her up to that point in life. Shaquilla lost her father to cancer when she was only 18 and continues to deal with the trauma of that loss. Her appreciation for caregivers grew during her dad’s illness and she ended up following that passion by pursuing a career in the medical field. She has been working for over 3 years as a patient care technician and dreams of someday becoming a nurse.

Shaquilla came to CornerStone seeking a place to learn more about gaining some stability in her finances. However, she found a place where she was valued, welcomed, and known. This support was evident during the semester when her mom became extremely sick and put on a ventilator. Throughout this trying time, Shaquilla found solace in the support and prayers extended by her classmates. F&F became a spot in Shaquilla’s week where she did not have to be the caregiver but was able to be “cared for.”  Even when the weight of the situation tempted her to give up, the encouragement from the class helped her stay resilient. Witnessing her mother's health gradually improve, Shaquilla's joy was evident as her mother attended the graduation ceremony.

As her heart continues to heal, Shaquilla is making great choices about her future. She is now working towards home ownership with Habitat for Humanity as she works hard to balance her employment, caring for her family, and putting in the sweat equity hours that Habitat requires.

Our entire CornerStone team continues to be amazed at Shaquilla’s hard work and her determination to change the trajectory of her life. We continue to pray that God will strengthen her heart, soul, and body as she navigates this path – and we thank God for the privilege of getting to walk through some of this journey with her.