Shirdelle’s advocacy work inspires her role as a mother
Shirdelle was first introduced to DFSA through her work at SAFE Austin as their Community Engagement Coordinator. Her passion for advocacy largely stems from her own childhood experiences. She now utilizes those life skills to advocate for herself and others. She attended DFSA’s Community Connect, a monthly gathering where close partners gather together to exchange resources and better serve our community. It was there that inspired her to become a volunteer and schedule a headshot appointment.
Shirdelle grew up in East Austin and was encouraged by her parents to attend the University of North Texas where she pursued a degree in the development of family studies. Although she ultimately decided that college wasn’t the best fit for her, she utilized great connections and a strong mindset to pursue a career working at non-profits. Following college, she jumped right into working - starting with two jobs to save money and get mentally prepared to seek another life path.
Her professional experience started in childcare while she was simultaneously taking early education courses. While studying Michelle Obama’s Let Girls Learn campaign, she came across the work of non-profits which led her to an interest in a role at SAFE.
She credits her knowledge from her own traumas to what fueled her to excel within the organization where she went from a lead youth care advocate to an AM youth care worker and Project Hopes outreach specialist before landing in the position she is in today. In her current role, she educates other organizations and individuals about trauma informed care, interpersonal violence and SAFE’s many services.
As a mom of two, she takes the advocacy work she does home and instills it in her two toddlers. Shirdelle comments, “Everything truly starts at home. I try my best to make sure I am creating a positive home life for my children so they can thrive and learn while not being afraid to ask questions.”
She is even working with her daughter Saija to launch a vegan lip gloss line called Shimmer Pop. This idea was inspired by her daughter’s love of lip gloss and how empowered it makes her feel. She hopes to share this confidence with other moms and their daughters with a message of cultivating positive relationships while being ever present in their learning.