Volunteer Spotlight: Shanyia Woods

This month’s volunteer spotlight is shining on Shanyia Woods! Shanyia is a mother and a nurse and still finds time to volunteer! No task is to big or small for her. Whether we need help organizing 350 conference nametags or assistance unpacking a shipment of 5000 fidgets, Shanyia is there for us!

We asked Shanyia a few questions to learn more about her giving heart:

What do you enjoy about volunteering at The Kim Foundation?

I enjoy being a part of making a difference—whether it’s creating name tags or helping organize swag bags. It might seem small, but those details help connect people to the resources they need. Knowing that something I did might contribute to someone feeling seen, supported, or even staying here for more tomorrows is meaningful to me.

I also really appreciate the team. Everyone is so kind, helpful, and welcoming. You can tell they genuinely value their volunteers, and that makes it easy to keep showing up.

On top of that, I’ve loved learning about different resources available in the community and the many ways we can help others. It’s opened my eyes to how much support is out there and how important it is to make sure people know about it.

What inspired you to volunteer with TKF?

I became a nurse because I wanted to help people, and volunteering with TKF is an extension of that. Mental health plays such a huge role in our overall well-being, but there’s still so much stigma surrounding it. I want to be part of breaking that stigma and making sure people feel safe reaching out for help. Volunteering with TKF gives me the opportunity to support that mission in a meaningful way.

What drives you to be a volunteer (in general – not just for TKF)?

For me, it always comes back to wanting to make a difference and help people. As a nurse, I often see people when it’s already too late—when the crisis has escalated or the damage is done. Volunteering gives me a way to be part of the work that happens before that point. It’s about helping people feel supported early on, connecting them to resources, and hopefully keeping them from ever reaching that breaking point.

Anything else you’d like to say about volunteering, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, the foundation, or your work in the health/mental health profession?

Everyone can benefit from taking care of their mental health. We all struggle in different ways, and each of us is on our own journey when it comes to emotional well-being. It’s not just about illness or crisis—it’s about learning to check in with yourself, create healthy habits, and ask for help when you need it. The more we normalize those conversations, the more lives we can support—and even save.