Her Story
About Shawnna
Shawnna Lortz serves as Associate Program Director for Hope Rising Arizona, a faith-based nonprofit organization providing transitional living for women coming out of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation situations. In this role, she works directly with residents in housing to help them secure employment, access therapy, and obtain resources needed for successful healing journeys. Lortz began her social work career in 2015 at a local rehab in substance abuse treatment after achieving two years of sobriety, spending the next decade advancing at The Haven from an entry-level housinger position through supervisor roles to business development and outreach. She holds an associate's degree in business administration earned in 2000 and maintains certifications as a peer support specialist along with training in motivational interviewing and Mental Health CPR. Drawing on her personal experience overcoming severe meth addiction, Lortz emphasizes the importance of her own healing journey in effectively supporting others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shawnna
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It takes a pretty strong backbone, and you gotta be ready to be in a good place of healing yourself before you start trying to help others. Everybody goes to rehab and then they want to work at the rehab, but you need time to be secure in your own sobriety and healing journey before you can actually help others. Otherwise it can be very triggering and emotionally draining. Make sure that you're strengthened and solid in your own healing before you attempt to try to help others heal. And maintain your healing journey, like if you're doing 12 steps, keep going to your 12 steps, keep going to therapy, you never stop maintaining your recovery journey.
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