Dads Support Group Leader & Member of the Board of Directors
Steve Shannon has been part of the Alliance of Hope family since 2012. He is a Senior Manufacturing Engineer and dedicated family man whose son Patrick died by suicide on March 10, 2012, leaving behind a beloved 2-year-old son who needed a good home. Steve and his wife Tina took on the responsibility of raising William, their grandchild, who is now 15 years old.
After Patrick died, Steve spent several months reading posts on the Alliance of Hope Community Forum before he found the courage to introduce himself. He says the warm replies he received led him to become an active participant, sharing his story and reaching out to support others. He credits the Alliance of Hope with saving his life.
In the years that followed, Steve became one of our forum moderators and was one of the first people to raise funds for the Alliance of Hope back in 2015, when we were all volunteer-run, with no paid staff. He joined our Board of Directors in 2018 and has represented the Alliance of Hope at several conferences and outreach events to help survivors, including funeral directors conventions and the AFSP Long-term Survivors Conference. He has helped us grow stronger in our ability to help more and more survivors.
Steve is deeply aware of the need to support men in their grief. In 2019, he helped design and launch our Grieving Dads Support Group. He understands that societal expectations often pressure men to maintain a facade of strength, making it challenging for them to express vulnerability and navigate their grief. He also believes that dads can greatly benefit from having a dedicated space to share their experiences without judgment.
Steve believes sharing one’s story can be a powerful step towards healing. He says: “It’s not just about unburdening your heart; it’s about lighting a path for others who walk in similar shoes. I encourage those struggling to reach out for support, be patient with yourself, and hold onto the possibility of finding peace and purpose beyond your pain.”
When he isn’t busy volunteering, working, or leading programs for survivors, you can find him camping or taking adventurous road trips across the country with his grandkids. He’s always ready to pitch in when someone needs help and always brings a smile to those around him. He has a huge heart, a great sense of humor, and a big commitment to helping others. He and his family live in Grand Haven, Michigan.