I grew up in a single parent home. I attended a new elementary school every year. I almost failed the fifth grade. I once had suicidal thoughts in middle school. My dad raised me in a single father home as a teenager. My mom had a substance abuse issue with mental illness and my dad had a middle school education. I came from a family of teenage pregnancy. We received public assistance. We were poor. I went to Jones High School all four years (by choice). I lacked skills necessary to get into college because of the lack of resources at my high school. I became a recluse when I started college. I didn't make college friends until my last 2 years of college (I was a 5 year student). I have been discriminated against, bullied, and taken advantage of. I've been in an abusive relationship. I've been depressed. I suffer from anxiety. They said I would never make it. They said I would be a teenage mom. They said I would be a statistic. I've been bruised and bent throughout my life-but, I made it and never broke!
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All of this made me into the woman I am today. I don't see it as my "put me down" story because it is my "PICK ME UP" story!
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If you know me-then you know my story! I don't hide it and I use it as a reminder to myself that I am capable of persevering. I am capable of using my life experiences to help others through mentorship, volunteerism, and life coaching. I am capable of being the epitome of success. I am proud to be a product of my environment!
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Check the resume:
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High School Diploma-Jones High School 2002
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Bachelors of Arts-University of South Florida 2007
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Masters of Arts-Ashford University 2018
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Licensed Cosmetologist
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Notary Public
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Certified Life Coach
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Non-Profit Mentoring Organization Founder
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Be the change you wish to see!
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Because I am a product of my environment
Hello! I am Shannon Wilson, Founder and President of A Ray of Light and Positivity, Inc., more affectionately known as AROLAP, Inc. I have been an avid mentor since 2007 and have been fulfilling my passion ever since. For the past 17 years, I have aimed to make a difference in the lives of young adults through mentorship and life guidance. I served over a decade as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida and served as a life guide mentor with The Foundation for Foster Kids for a few years. Mentorship is more than a passion for me, it is my way of filling a void that so many young adults have in their lives. As a young adult, I yearned for a "Big Sister" or a "mentor" before really understanding what the terms meant. As an adult, I aspire to be the mentor that I needed growing up to today's young adults. This aspiration led me to start my own young adult mentoring organization so that my reach could far exceed the work that I had previously committed to other agencies. AROLAP Inc., manifested itself in the summer of 2019 and has truly lived up to its name of being A Ray of Light and Positivity resource for young adults. Here at our organization-we mentor with love and laughter-"AROLAP mentors differently!" and our mentorship/life guidance structure is highly effective and participant receptive.
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May we all aspire to be A Ray of Light to the blind and an inspiration to the less inspired. Positive Vibes always!
We invite you to make a difference with us!
Shannon Wilson
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Founder's Address
