Shantá Armour Farley

Peer Support Specialist (She/Her/Hers)

SPECIAL INTERESTS: TRAUMA RECOVERY | MENTAL HEALTH | Substance use recovery support | healthy eating & Lifestyle | Self Love, Awareness & Acceptance

 “No matter what is going on in your life today, remember, it is only preparation for better things.”

Shantá was born in Chicago and raised in Milwaukee and was the youngest of her mother’s children. Growing up, she saw a lot of violence within her community. Her mother did her best to shield her from those things, but Shantá’s first traumatic experience came when her boyfriend was killed. Being only 15 at the time, Shantá became so depressed that she couldn’t see her way out of it. Eventually she received some counseling and found her way.  

Shantá has had countless moments in her life where she felt like giving up and here she has been afraid. But Shantá learned to be brave by taking healthy risks.

Having had several close relatives who have battled with and still struggle with addiction, Shantá understands how it affects, not only the person who is struggling but also the people who love the individual.

She has found people can often be judgmental and sometimes offer solutions that can be harmful in the form of being “helpful”. This is why Shantá took it upon herself to challenge those roadblocks so that she could be of service to those that she loves as well as her community. Some of these skills she’s learned through life and lived experience. Others came from her Certified Peer Specialist Training.

Shantá believes that everyone deserves to feel as though they are worthy of being heard and that their experiences are of value. Sometimes we just need people to walk with us during those darker moments and Shantá is ready to do so with an open heart and mind.

Shantá is married and is the proud momma of 2 small children and 3 adult boys. When she’s not busy being mom or giving back to her community through peer support, you’ll probably find her cooking up something delicious for her business Everything Vegan, drinking some chicory coffee (yep it’s a thing… and it’s delicious), or singing in her kitchen while she bakes. Shantá also enjoys taking hikes, walking, and doing a bit of yoga.