Meet Shannon Henry of SASS Go

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Henry

Hi Shannon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I took a self defense class as a survivor. I loved feeling like I could trust my body and mind to protect the things I love- including me! I wanted everyone to have that feeling and to have it before they experienced violence or abuse when at all possible. So I started a nonprofit that has grown to serve over 27.000 women on 4 continents with prevention education, self defense training, and second-stage care. It has been the most beautiful journey marked by God’s guidance every step of the way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building your vision requires both patience and time. These essential elements are a training ground for overcoming obstacles, developing important relationships, and acquiring the wisdom needed to successfully fulfill the vision. While challenging, this process ultimately fosters a greater capacity for fortified character, hope, and endurance to keep running the race.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SASS Go is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit protecting and supporting survivors of violence and abuse, their families, and the professionals who support them. We do this through prevention training, self defense courses, and second-stage care.

I am the President & Founder, known for building purpose, capacity, and a strong sense of compassion and courage into all that we do so that we love and protect people with efficacy from violence and abuse globally.

I am most proud of the incredible team of people who help us fulfill this mission and the communities that welcome them who feel a sense of responsibility and urgency for those entrusted to their care.

Our services have helped over 27,000 women and girls and served agencies from the United Nations and Department of Defense to community schools and gyms. We believe everyone deserves a life free of violence and abuse.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I believe, we like so many others, learned the essential power of connectivity. Finding ways to continue connecting in a world that required disconnection was a challenge, but not insurmountable. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Many new partnerships and technological advancements were developed during COVID-19 which allowed us to train on continents we were not physically on, such as Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sassgo.org