Transforming Youth Through Faith & Service
The Journey That Changed Everything
While in her early years of high school, Shawnie was not looking for spiritual transformation. Like many high schoolers, she was simply focused on activities, sports, and academics. However, Patrick, CEO of Streets 517 and UYWI urban leader, would regularly invite her to Streets 517 events. For a long while, she would decline, believing she was too busy for the extra activities being offered.
Then COVID-19 hit during her sophomore year, and everything changed. Depression settled in during her junior year, creating a void that ultimately led her to seeking community and opportunities to shift her mindset. As senior year approached, she wondered if Streets 517 was still operating and reached out. The immediate welcome she received changed the trajectory of her life.
"I joined Streets 517 and Campus Life, attending twice weekly with other kids seeking Jesus," Shawnie recalls. "I never missed a session. It literally turned my whole life around. I can't believe I turned my back to something like that. I couldn't see myself leaving it behind. I wish I had it my whole high school career."
From Participant to Leader
Shawnie's transformation did not end with participation. After being introduced to the Leadership In Training (LIT) program, she completed the training and joined as a volunteer the following year. What began as curiosity blossomed into passion as she experienced the joy of mentoring younger students.
Shawnie did not have a home church at the time, but she knew she wanted to be involved in ministry. It was through Streets 517 that she found her place in serving God through youth ministry. "Being around the kids is so fun," she shares. "I wanted to be there every day."
Today, Shawnie serves as a Ministry Leader in multiple capacities. She works with the Sign Posts program for 9-12th graders, helping students navigate hallways, engaging with them during lunch, and building meaningful relationships. On Mondays, she leads Main Street activities—games, discussions, and relational activities that help students learn about God while connecting with peers. Her heart is to be a Christ-centered leader to the next generation in the way her leaders, like Patrick, have been to her.
Perhaps her most innovative contribution is through Style for Success, a Christ-centered cosmetology program that builds confidence while teaching practical skills, all while incorporating weekly devotionals. When asked why she dedicates herself to youth ministry, Shawnie's answer is simple yet profound: "My heart is so full in hearing the stories of how the kids’ lives have been changed—it's often the little things. These kids have tough lives. It doesn't take much to change lives. They fill my heart."
For Shawnie, whose love language is acts of service, seeing smiles on young faces provides immeasurable fulfillment.
Making an Impact
One student particularly stands out in Shawnie's ministry experience. Sway comes from a strict household with limited opportunities for extracurricular activities. However, her parents allowed her to attend the Style for Success classes, which became a lifeline for personal growth.
"For a while, she was the only one coming," Shawnie remembers. "We had a lot of one-on-one time to chat, talk, and practice. She has gotten so good that she's now doing other students' hair and inspiring her peers." Despite her restrictive environment, Sway makes the most of what she has, which in turn motivates others to do the same. Through consistent mentorship and faith-based encouragement, Sway has become more open about her spiritual journey, no longer shy about her relationship with Christ.
How UYWI is Growing Leaders
We have now established a long-standing relationship with Streets 517 and their team. They have participated in our Strategic Storyline, UYWI Certification Program, and utilized additional UYWI leadership resources. As UYWI continues to commit to excellence, we are seeing generations of leaders, like Patrick to Shawnie and others on their team, be trained and developed through UYWI programs. The UYWI Certification Program provided valuable training that has transformed Shawnie’s uncertainty into confidence, providing strategic planning tools and ministry development resources.
"I was serving for two years but wasn't confident," Shawnie admits. "I could recite and tell Bible stories, but I wasn't confident in what I was saying or teaching. The UYWI Certification program helped me grow to know what I'm teaching, and to teach in ways that are authentic to me rather than just copying others. Now that I've finished the program, I've learned how to teach in my own way."
The UYWI Certification Program has strengthened not only individual leaders but entire ministry teams. As Shawnie puts it, "We're doing stuff right as a team—strategic planning, developing pathways, and creating cool, well-planned programs for teens."
Building and Investing for 5x Growth
As we continue growing our ministry impact, your faithful support makes all these transformations possible. Behind every story like Shawnie's and Sway's are resource partners like you who believe in the power of Christ-centered youth mentorship.
Your gifts enable us to train more leaders, reach more youth, and create safe spaces where young people can encounter Jesus—perhaps for the first time, or in deeper ways that change the direction of their lives.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Urban Youth Workers family. Together, we are helping young people discover their purpose and develop confidence rooted in Christ. You are helping to Build for the Future and invest in 5X the growth throughout 2025.
Bless you,
TOMMY NIXON, CEO
Urban Youth Workers Institute