Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheretha Moore.
Hi Sheretha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Purpose didn’t find me in the middle of movement — it found me in stillness.
When the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, everything became quiet. The daily hustle paused. The constant noise faded. For the first time in a long time, I had no choice but to sit still. And in that stillness, I began to hear myself clearly.
Without the distractions of busyness, I started reflecting on who I was, who I had been, and who I was becoming. I thought about my teenage years — what I needed emotionally, what I longed for mentally, and the kind of guidance that could have helped shape me differently. I realized that so many of us grow up surviving instead of healing. Achieving instead of understanding ourselves.
The pandemic created space for self-awareness. I confronted my own unprocessed experiences, my strengths, and my gaps. I began asking deeper questions: What did I need at 15? Who was checking on my mental health? Who was creating safe spaces for me to simply be?Those questions didn’t just stay reflective — they became directional.
I discovered that my purpose wasn’t just about professional success. It was about creating the very spaces I once needed. Safe environments for young people to process emotions, build confidence, explore wellness, and feel seen. The stillness taught me that purpose often grows from the pain points we’ve survived.
When the world paused, I aligned.
And in that alignment, I found clarity — not just about what I do, but about why I do it
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth — and I wouldn’t trade a single difficult moment for what it has taught me. Shelley’s House was founded in 2021, just one year after my family relocated from Baltimore City to Severn, Maryland — a county where I knew no one and had no established network. Launching a nonprofit during the height of COVID-19 presented enormous challenges on its own, but I quickly encountered another layer I wasn’t fully prepared for: the politics of the nonprofit world.
My wife Gabby, who spent years navigating the structure and politics of military life, had tried to warn me. She’d seen firsthand how hierarchy, territory, and unspoken alliances shape institutions — and she knew the nonprofit world would be no different. More than that, she knew me. She knew I was someone who wanted to be behind the scenes, head down, doing the work — not playing political chess. She was right. I just had to learn it for myself.
In those early days, I reached out to shelters, transitional homes, and elected officials, offering free personal growth services and casting a vision for a youth transitional home — one that would provide mental health support, mentorship, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training to help young people break the cycle of homelessness for good. Time and again, I was turned away. The rejections were discouraging in ways that are hard to fully put into words.
“But one ‘yes’ changed everything.”
Mrs. Wallace, M.S.W., at St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families in Hyattsville, Maryland, saw the value in what we were offering and opened the door for us to work virtually with teen moms residing there — young women with no support system to lean on. That experience was deeply personal for me. I am a former teen mom myself, and unlike the young women I was serving, I had my greatest support system by my side — my mom. It is in her honor that Shelley’s House was founded and in her memory that we press forward every single day. I understood exactly what those young women were carrying, because I had walked a version of that road. The impact we created together confirmed what I already felt in my spirit: God had placed me exactly where I needed to be. That partnership taught me the first of many lessons I would carry forward — that the “no’s” are part of the process, but they must never become louder than your “why.”
I also learned to fail forward and fail fast — a principle our incredible financial literacy teacher and entrepreneur coach, Sharlena, lives by. Looking back, that is exactly what I did. When it became clear that launching a transitional home wasn’t yet feasible, I chose to pivot rather than pause. In 2023, Shelley’s House began serving youth in underserved communities right here in Severn. I also joined Leadership Anne Arundel, immersing myself in everything I needed to know about the county I was called to serve.
Today, Shelley’s House is embedded in two elementary afterschool wellness programs and actively working with middle and high school students across Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City. Our holistic wellness approach is anchored in our flagship program, Building the Foundation for Success — centered on improving the whole quality of life by addressing the full person: mental, physical, social, and economic well-being. Our middle and high school pillar, Mindful Generation, meets young people where they are and equips them with the tools to navigate life with intention. For our youngest community members, Mindful Generation Jr. brings that same transformative work into elementary schools — planting seeds of wellness early and building a generation that leads from a place of wholeness.
If I had walked away after that first rejection, none of it would have happened — not the programs, not the breakthroughs, and not the lives changed along the way.
“Every ‘no’ was simply redirecting me toward a greater purpose — and more ‘yeses’ down the line.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our Work, Our Passion & What Sets Us Apart My federal government career began in 2001 — more than two decades of service built on discipline, hard work, and perseverance. That career provides stability — a predictable paycheck and solid benefits. But it is my role as Executive Director of Shelley’s House where my purpose truly lives.
Describing everything that role encompasses is a tall order. It may be easier to say there is very little I don’t do.
At the heart of it all, Shelley’s House specializes in holistic wellness programming. We create safe, supportive environments where young people and families can truly exhale. Our programming includes group therapy sessions, wellness through art, entrepreneurship and financial literacy workshops, peer support groups, and wellness family retreats — all designed to nurture the whole person, not simply address a single need.
We are known for our unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for youth and families through meaningful mental health practices and genuine community connection. What we are most proud of cannot be measured in program numbers alone — it is watching our young people grow week after week, showing up for themselves with more confidence and resilience each time they walk through our doors.
Beyond our youth programming, the broader community may know us best through the three signature events we host each year — gatherings rooted in giving back, celebrating families, and making wellness accessible to all. Our Community Wellness Day, held each May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, brings families together for health screenings, fitness classes, mental health resources, and healthy food demonstrations. Our Christmas in July Community Giveaway spreads warmth and generosity mid-summer, ensuring that families in need feel seen and celebrated. And each August, our Back to School Carnival, held in partnership with Walmart in Glen Burnie, sends local youth into the new school year feeling excited, equipped, and loved.
What sets Shelley’s House apart comes down to one thing: lived experience.
I don’t walk into underserved communities out of pity. I walk in because I was that child. I grew up in the housing projects of Baltimore City, and there was no program, no invested adult, no peer support — no one asking how I was really doing. I know firsthand what was missing, and I built Shelley’s House to fill exactly that void.
My mother wanted more for her children. That spirit drives everything I do today — and it is in her honor that this organization bears her legacy. Our youth deserve the same resources and opportunities as anyone else, and I am committed to making sure they have them.
Because you are not defined by where you currently are — only by where you have the power to go.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
At Shelley’s House, we believe real community impact happens through partnership, shared purpose, and people who are willing to show up. Whether you are an individual, a business, or an organization, there is a place for you in this work. Partner With Us
We actively seek partners who share our commitment to holistic wellness and youth development. If you are a school, nonprofit, wellness practitioner, or community organization, we would love to explore what we can build together. Partnership opportunities include co-leading wellness workshops, contributing to our family retreat programming, and supporting school-based wellness initiatives across Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City.
We are also actively seeking land or an existing building we could utilize — free of charge or at minimal cost — to serve as a permanent home for Shelley’s House. A dedicated facility would allow us to expand programming, store weekly donations, and deepen our capacity to serve the community in a lasting way. As we grow, we are also looking to connect with spaces that include or could accommodate a commercial kitchen, which would allow us to launch healthy nutrition cooking classes for our youth — hands-on programming that teaches life skills while reinforcing the wellness values at the heart of everything we do. If you have a space, know of one, or can help connect us, please reach out. This is one of the most impactful ways a property owner or business could invest in the next generation.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. We welcome dedicated individuals year-round in the following areas:
Weekly Wellness Workshops — Support our school-based wellness programming at local elementary schools. All youth-facing volunteers are required to complete a background check.
Community Wellness Day — Our annual flagship event needs volunteers for setup, activities, vendor coordination, and community engagement.
Christmas in July Community Giveaway — We need hands-on help organizing and distributing donations in the weeks leading up to this beloved community tradition.
Back to School Carnival — Held each August in partnership with Walmart in Glen Burnie, this event depends on volunteer support to make it a success for local families.
General Programming Support — Event logistics, community outreach, mentorship, and engagement support are always needed year-round.
Nourish Our Youth
Every week, we provide dinner to the youth in our programming — because we know a full stomach supports a focused mind. We are actively seeking individuals, restaurants, grocery partners, and businesses willing to sponsor or supply healthy weekly meals. This is one of the most direct and tangible ways you can invest in our young people.
Sponsor a Program or Event
Local businesses and organizations can make a lasting impact through sponsorship — helping us keep all programming free and accessible to the families who need it most. Opportunities include our Community Wellness Day, Back to School Carnival, Christmas in July Community Giveaway, weekly Youth Wellness Workshops, and ongoing Mental Health and Peer Support initiatives. Sponsors receive recognition across our events, website, and social media platforms — and more importantly, the knowledge that their investment is directly changing lives.
Donate
We rely on grants and individual contributions to sustain and grow our work. Financial donations directly support mental health services, weekly youth programming, healthy meals, supplies, and community events. Every dollar invested in Shelley’s House is an investment in a young person’s future. Donations can be made at www.shelleyshouse.org.
Bring Shelley’s House to You
Schools, community centers, and organizations can invite Shelley’s House to facilitate youth wellness workshops, mental health discussions, family engagement sessions, and entrepreneurship and financial literacy programming. We meet communities where they are — and we would love to meet yours.
To volunteer, partner, sponsor, donate, or simply learn more, we would love to hear from you.
[email protected] • [email protected] • 443-857-7356
www.shelleyshouse.org
Empowering individuals. Strengthening communities. Promoting holistic wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shelleyshouse.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelleys_houseinc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shelleyshouseinc
