Shawn grew up in the foster care system. He never met his mother. His father is serving a life sentence. He had his first drink at age 14 and has battled alcohol and chronic homelessness ever since. "I was in so much pain I just kept drinking myself stupid and not even having a clue as to how to fix things."

Shawn was in and out of shelters, stayed at the library, and lived in tents. After being arrested dozens of times, the court ordered Shawn to see a therapist. His therapist was Rev. Dr. William Manseau and Shawn accessed this care through Emmaus Institute Inc. Here he has gotten treatment for his alcoholism.