Stephanie is creating a space for quiet healing at a women’s shelter in Missouri. A woman-owned electrical contractor since 2007, former professional dancer, musician, public speaker and mother of eight in a beautifully blended family, Stephanie brings a rare mix of talents - and lived experience. Having walked her own journey through abuse and recovery, she understands that healing doesn’t only happen face-to-face in counselling sessions. Sometimes it begins in the quiet turning of a page.

With $500, Stephanie will build a lending library at Harbor House Women’s Shelter for Domestic Violence in Stone County, Missouri. She’ll purchase books focused on boundaries, codependency, self-worth and trauma recovery - practical, empowering resources that allow women to learn privately and at their own pace. She’ll also include audiobooks to ensure accessibility regardless of literacy level, and children’s books that gently explore similar themes for the young people staying at the shelter. Working alongside onsite counsellors, she’ll carefully select titles and stretch the budget as far as possible through discounted and second-hand suppliers.

Beyond donating the library, Stephanie plans to visit periodically, using her public speaking skills to host educational and motivational sessions inspired by the books - sharing her own story of healing and resilience. Her goal is simple but powerful: to help women and their children build the knowledge, confidence and self-worth needed to break harmful cycles and move toward safe, rewarding lives.