Meet Us Monday: DeShawn, Peer House Leader

Posted: October 28, 2024 | Author: Real Life Staff

For this #MeetUsMonday, we are excited to introduce DeShawn, one of our newest Life Coaches! Born in Norfolk and raised in Suffolk, Virginia, DeShawn’s struggle with alcohol addiction began in high school. The loss of his grandmother and his parents’ divorce pushed him further into addiction, and throughout his twenties, he bounced between shelters and jobs. By the time he turned 30, DeShawn realized he was tired of his lifestyle—homeless, drinking daily, and lacking the quality of life he desired.

Starting the REAL LIFE program was a challenge, but with the encouragement of Senior Pathway Navigator Young, DeShawn stayed committed to his recovery. He successfully graduated from the program, became a Peer House Leader, and has recently joined our team as a Life Coach! DeShawn is thrilled to be working alongside the REAL LIFE staff, who have made him feel like part of the family, and he’s passionate about his role because it allows him to give back. “One of the biggest things about being a Life Coach is realizing you have to be sincere about saving lives and have lots of compassion,” he says.

DeShawn, we are so glad to have you on our team!

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