My First Year as a Sheffield Place Board Member

 

Sarah Sanchex (l) with fellow board
member Missy Andeel at Off the Wall 2024

When I first applied for the Board of Sheffield Place, I was looking for a non-profit to join that had a direction but also felt like I could make an impact in my community. After my visit to Sheffield Place, I could tell it was special and I wanted to be a part of it.

I grew up with a lot of people in my life that could have benefited from a place like Sheffield Place, if they had ever been given the chance. Something that I am very passionate about is that I want to help women and their children thrive in a world that has not been built to represent or even protect them.

I have been looking for a group that can help me give back and truly feel like Sheffield Place was the place to do that. Our country (I believe) is in a mental health crisis that continues to lead to more and more people being unhoused.  

So much of our life is based on what we were born into. I am not saying that people cannot better themselves from a situation but when you are five steps behind other people it is a lot harder to get ahead and know how to get there and when there is addiction and/or mental illness people can be pushed even further behind.

Mental health facilities are so underfunded that it makes it almost impossible for people who are suffering to get the help they need. Being able to help even in a small way through an organization like Sheffield Place makes me feel like I am trying to be apart of the solution and not the problem. I have loved this first year as a board member and getting to know the incredible staff and the women and children that make up Sheffield place. I can’t wait to see how else I can help in the upcoming year.

Sarah Sanchez, Board Member

UMB Bank