A Cycle Broken: A Lewis House Child Reflects 40 Years Later
A family fleeing violence
In 1983, a frightened seven-year-old boy walked through the doors of Lewis House with his mother and younger siblings. His family was in deep crisis, fleeing abuse, and their future was uncertain.
Shawn’s mother struggled with untreated trauma, bi-polar disorder, and depression. She used alcohol and drugs as coping tools to deal with the pain. When she sought safety at Lewis House, she arrived exhausted and overwhelmed, with three children under the age of eight depending on her.
Safe haven & healing
Yet the memory her eldest child carries is not one of fear. It is of refuge. “I have fond memories of Lewis House,” he says. “Memories of drawing, trying to play basketball, and counting as high as I could while falling asleep in my bunk.”
While his mother received support, advocacy, and time to heal, he and his siblings experienced safety and stability. They moved on from Lewis House to share an apartment with another family seeking to rebuild their lives after trauma.
A safe future realized
Today, Shawn is 49 years old. He holds multiple degrees and serves as the leader of four churches near Bath in England. He is married and raising two daughters of his own, children who are growing up healthy, secure, and deeply loved.
“My life has not been easy,” he says, “but it is scary how much worse it could have been without your help at such a key time.”
He offered one final message for Lewis House and for the community that sustains it:
“On behalf of the many scruffy children that come through your doors, I want to say thank you. We need your help. Your work matters.”
His story is a reminder that safety today can rewrite the story of tomorrow, for a parent, for a child, and for generations that follow. Thank you for making this kind of transformation possible. Your support continues to give families the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive.