Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shattuck.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the Non-Profit Sector started in November 2018 when I was hired at The Alliance as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC). The FOC is designed to provide services for Houston’s low to moderate-income refugee, immigrant, and other underserved populations. These services include employment and career planning, financial literacy and coaching, and public benefits eligibility assistance.
While assisting with FOC clients, I was introduced to the ladies who worked for The Community Cloth (the current program I run) a micro-enterprise initiative that helps empower female entrepreneurs by selling local craft and wares across the city of Houston. After my year of service, I became the Program Coordinator for The Community Cloth. Six months later I transferred over to my new position; Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Programs at The Alliance. Although my role has changed, I continue to assist refugee women and female entrepreneurs who want to start small businesses. But anyone within the city at any part of their small business journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road I believe many of the challenges I’ve faced along the way are equal to those who share the same story. One of immigration, language barriers, cultural differences, and much more, working at The Alliance has exposed me to many people and beliefs I don’t think I could have experienced outside of this journey.
Learning to communicate with people who don’t speak, read or write in your language some times not even their own presented various challenges and questions. How can I help this person if they can’t trust me? How can I provide the services they need if resources aren’t available in specific languages? How do you build rapport with someone who has lived such a different life and story? What is considered respectful or disrespectful in their culture? Will wearing the wrong thing offend my client and many more. These questions come to mind every day on the job and will continue to be the questions I ask myself and the never-ending obstacles my clients face when they come to the agency.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Programs at The Alliance, my role is to assist entrepreneurs with new or existing businesses. I provide 1-on-1 technical assistance in Marketing, Business Development, Financial Assistance, Community Resources, and Social Media Management. Under the entrepreneurial umbrella lies The Community Cloth, a separate program that started with a small group of refugee women who saw a need in their community to express their culture and heritage.
That was 10 years ago, The Community Cloth now centers around 5 Key Components, Women Empowerment, Marketing Opportunities, Entrepreneurship, Peer and Wellness Support, and Financial Literacy, these elements help our female entrepreneurs achieve success by providing the necessary foundations they need to establish successful businesses. The Community Cloth is known for its craft and wares, specifically woven scarves and knitwear, the program has assisted 30+ artisans representing 13 different countries.
What sets us apart from other agencies is the support we have at our disposal. The Alliance has 4 Main Program Centers that encompass almost 20 different services. Once a client joins they can enroll in any service we provide. This means if a client needs or has specific problems, there are over 100 employees I can call to assist me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I graduated with a degree in Victim Studies and Forensic Science from Sam Houston State University with a job in the Criminal Justice field as a top priority. One could say that I couldn’t be further from my goal than I am today I’m not sure if it was luck or chance that allowed me to get where I’m at but, these last 3 years have been some of the most rewarding and truly life-changing I’ve ever experienced.
I’ve achieved many firsts during my time with The Alliance. I got married, bought my first home, and I’m starting my family. I don’t know if those things would have been possible without the opportunities this job has provided. If I had to choose good or bad luck, I’d say the role of good luck is what’s seen me through and hopefully will continue to play a role in my future endeavors in life and business.
Contact Info:
- Email: mremy@TheAllianceTX.org
- Website: Thecommunitycloth.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommunitycloth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCommunityCloth
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommunityCloth
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCommunityCloth
- Other: http://thealliancetx.org/
Image Credits:
Shalethia Jones
Jenny Ryan
