Stories of Changed Lives
They believed they could change their lives
through intentional choices.
You don’t have to know the entire path.
You simply have to take the next intentional step—one decision at a time.
These are the stories of people who did just that.
Years later, their lives tell more of their story.
What will your story be?
Overcoming the Past
Shaun had a past that wasn’t heading toward a bright future. Luckily, he was introduced to Mardee and her youth program, which was designed to help young people, 18-24, learn skills to find jobs and improve their lives.
Mardee taught her class to live with intention by focusing on where they wanted to go instead of where they had been, and by thinking about what they wanted for their lives. Each class created personal vision boards and a class pledge to help them stay focused on our future. As a class, they also watched The Secret to help them understand the importance of focusing on what we wanted.
Back then, Shaun didn’t really understand it all, but he did the work. In 2009, he wasn’t sure he believed in the power of living with intention. Shaun said that, over the years, he looked back on that class and everything Mardee helped him learn, and he realized it really did work.
Shaun eventually earned his BA in 2017 and his law degree in 2021.
Shaun shared his appreciation for the years Mardee helped him in so many ways along his journey, teaching him to focus on where he wanted to be rather than where he had been.
The past doesn’t define who you are.
—Shared about Shaun Wilson, Class of 2009
From Juvenile Detention Center
to College Degree
I had no direction and no idea what I wanted to do in life. While I was in school, sports were my thing. I was really good at football and wrestling, but academically, I was doing poorly because I lacked motivation and vision.
When I was introduced to the program, Youth Building Tacoma, a program Mardee taught for young people, I had zero hope it would do anything for me.
I can remember my first day going in; I met a few people with a similar background to mine. I just came out of Juvenile Detention Center with little to no work experience and didn’t even have a resume to look for a job.
I first met Mardee, and let me tell you, she does not give up on anyone.
She gave us the tools and taught us the leadership skills we needed to survive in the world waiting for us. She showed us how to develop the mindset to not give up on ourselves.
Not all of us have the same strengths and weaknesses, but she focused on our strengths and built on that.
Most of the skills I learned are ones I have carried with me throughout my life. She taught me that adapting is something we have to do, and that we should always have a plan, focusing on what we want, especially if the path we took did not work out. For example, I scaffolded for almost 11 years before my wife and I moved to Utah, where I live now. Since we moved, I had to adapt to the change, or I would be stuck again with nothing. So I readjusted, trusted the process, went back to school, earned an associate’s degree in computer science, and am currently working on my bachelor’s degree.
It’s been a blessing that she has always kept tabs on her "kids”, as she referred to us.
-Spencer Su'a, class of 2010, shared 2026
I Learned I Could Change My Life
Mardee truly helped me grow into the man I am today.
I met her when I was 19. I was young and making a lot of poor choices. She never gave up on me. I took her class three times, and the last time everything finally clicked.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was about the power of intention and the Law of Attraction. She had us do vision boards to help us focus on what we wanted in our lives and what we didn't want. She said if we focus on what we don't want, then we are basically putting energy into the wrong thing. So we were to only put a representation of what we did want.
She taught me that if I could see it in my vision, I could work toward making it a reality. I did that. I started making better choices, intentionally.
Our class wrote a pledge of commitment to help us when we get off track. I still have mine, and I look at it to remind me of what I'm committed to.
Today I’m 27, I’ve had a steady job for five years, I have a daughter, and I’m living a good life.
Looking back, I believe God put Mardee in my life for a reason. She will always be a big part of my story, and I’m grateful for the impact she had on my life.
– Patrick - class of 2009, shared in 2017
Your Story is Still Being Written
A meaningful life isn't created all at once.
You don't have to change your entire life today.
You only have to choose your next intentional step.
One intention. One decision. One step at a time.
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Together, we can explore new possibilities, create meaningful memories, and travel through life with intention.