Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ellison.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My birth father was incarcerated for many years of my childhood for heinous crimes against his children. My birth mother coped with her trauma with drugs and codependency. We were often homeless. Like most in poverty, we had food insecurity.
When I was 15 years old, I became a runaway after my mother attempted to murder me! I was legally emancipated, worked hard (three jobs), bought a trailer and, lived alone for a few years while battling depression. I am so fortunate to have had AMAZING TEACHERS (THANK OUR TEACHERS). Just before my senior year, I was invited to live with an amazing family and they encouraged me to go to college. I made it to college (thank you to their efforts to help me navigate credit recovery and overcome learning disabilities). The first 17 years of my life, I was trying to survive! Sadly, along the way I lost both of my brothers tragically to suicide and a high-risk lifestyle As you can imagine, I almost broke in those moments because the pain was unbearable!
I proudly have a Master’s Degree and have my own beautiful family. My husband and children are my fuel! I am honored to be a National and international speaker for a speaking agency IMPACTtruth, if you need a speaker for your event think of me and contact mike@IMPACTtruth.com. This year I founded a 501(c)(3) called Simply Encourage, and I am the author of a children’s book about unconditional love called Always Forever! This book can be for foster children, blended families, or for any child from a loving caregiver. I am so blessed to coach families in my community with a message of hope! Oh, one of the best and sweetest parts of my story is that family who took me in my senior year adopted me when I was 37. I have a mom and dad by choice and amazing sisters!
NOTHING CAN STOP MY WILL TO HELP OTHERS!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overcoming fear of failure and rejection has been hard. Being stretched to learn new things and reach out of my comfort zone is also hard! I would say that one of my mottos is, “You can do hard things”! Finding balance and peace was also hard. Starting a nonprofit was a huge scary thing, but my desire to help my community was greater than any fear! Life is still not easy, but I am very proud of my work so far and do plan to continue helping my community!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I offer Family Systems coaching to my community through Simply Encourage. I also work with families to help them understand the importance of loving others and caring for one another by providing a village of support. Our society has struggled with fighting too many battles alone. Suicide is at an all-time high, and it’s time that we sign up and show up for our families and for the sake of our children!
I am very proud of the work that I do because I lost both of my brothers, one to suicide and the other to high-risk behaviors that lead to a major catastrophic accident. I do my work for them and for others!
When I was a Behavior Specialist in the schools, I realized too many families are suffering for many different reasons, and often it impedes on their ability to move forward! They are hurting, and they do desire help from caring individuals and are often met with judgments and criticism when asking for help. My purpose in starting Simply Encourage was to utilize my community to help families in simple and encouraging ways. I desire to be a conduit of hope, encouragement, and empowerment.
As I mentioned, earlier, I have a children’s book and a parenting guide with it. This book is a simple bedtime story that allows people to feel loved no matter what family type they live with. It is for nuclear, foster, adoptive, blended, and kinship families! It all about unconditional love! I would love to share it with you all.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Hands Down TEACHERS! My teachers, my family that took me in in High School, my University, Hardin Simmons University, and my amazing husband and children!
I could share so many stories, and all of them would fit! Simply Encourage is a community-driven nonprofit. It was built because I learned the value of my community support throughout my life and am now responsible for paying it forward! I have so many stories to put here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplyencourage.org
- Instagram: @simply_encourage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083844924688&mibextid=2JQ9oc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ellison-ab59b537
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/vB9izoW1YIA
- Other: https://simplyencourageblog.com/
Image Credits
Ashley Salinas
