Shawn Baker. Born into generational trauma and carrying the weight of childhood sexual abuse, Shawn coped the only way she knew how — by self-medicating. What began as drinking to numb the pain eventually progressed to substance use, which spiraled after moving to Philadelphia in search of a fresh start. During an episode tied to her substance use, she was arrested and charged with attempted murder, later reduced to aggravated assault. Sentenced to 7½ to 15 years, she served eight. While incarcerated, Shawn made a life-changing decision: she would use the time to grow. She completed positive psychology courses through Bucknell University, earned her Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) training, and prepared herself for a different future.

Returning home in November 2017 to a world that felt unfamiliar, Shawn rebuilt from the ground up. When Peerstar opened its Philadelphia office, she was among the first hired as a CPS, quickly rising to Supervisor and then Assistant Regional Director within two years. She began pursuing a college degree while balancing work and family life. Today, Shawn is a grandmother of three who says her grandchildren “only know this grandma” — the healed, thriving version. She credits Peerstar’s culture of growth, opportunity, and family for supporting her journey and remains deeply grateful to now use her lived experience to walk alongside others in their recovery.