A Life Forever Changed

Shantell’s childhood was marked by abuse, neglect, and frequent moves.

She cut grass and babysat to earn extra income to care for her siblings when money was scarce. Nevertheless, there were stretches when the family was without electricity or food. Eventually Shantell was placed in foster care. She bounced from one foster home to another – and ran away from several of them.

By the time Shantell arrived at Pressley Ridge’s White Oak Residential Program in West Virginia, she was two years behind academically. But she wasn’t out of hope.

Despite her troubled childhood, Shantell still valued school and longed for a college education. The staff at White Oak provided her with the structure, consistency, and guidance she needed to reach her goals. Shantell thrived at White Oak. She prepared for and passed her GED and became a role model for her peers in the program.

Today, Shantell attends Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She owns her own home, is married, and recently had her first child.

At Pressley Ridge, we often say, “once a Pressley Ridge kid, always a Pressley Ridge kid”. That’s certainly the case for Shantell. It’s not uncommon for White Oak staff to answer the phone and hear her happy voice on the other end.

There are many children like Shantell. One by one, Pressley Ridge is changing their lives.