Shanell Toomer Bio:
Shanell Toomer – “A Rose that Grew from Concrete.” Simply put….Shanell is Amazing and we celebrate you!
Shanell Toomer is the “Rose that Grew from Concrete.” She was raised in Irvington, NJ with 2 parents with substance abuse challenges, in a community impacted by poverty, violence and crime. She successfully navigated through life due to her strong faith in God and individuals placed in her life that encouraged her to persevere. Shanell graduated from Essex County College in 2013 with a degree in Human and Social Services. She continued her education at Rutgers University, graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology in 2015 and enrolled in the Advance Standing Master’s in Social Work program and graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work (concentration Children and Families) in 2016. Shanell is currently a Professor at Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, where she teaches future social workers the skills necessary to be change agents in their community. Shanell is also a school social worker.
Shanell Toomer is an advocate and change agent for youth in Essex and Hudson Counties. Shanell is a Director of Youth programs at the Newark YMCA where she assisted in the creation of a program that provides life skills mentoring, and activities for juvenile justice involved youth. This afterschool program focused on reducing recidivism, engaging at risk youth, and promoting healthy lifestyles with youth ages 13-17. Shanell participates in the interruption of violence in Hudson County as an active member of team of individuals that meet with gang leaders and create a safe space to have meaningful discussions that lead to the elimination of violence in the community.
Shanell also supervises a youth shelter that provides hope, love, and support to teens that are victims of trauma, Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) involved, homeless, and who have run away from home. Shanell continues to make strides in her community via her Non-profit organization (Health and Wellness Empowerment Program) which provides supportive services to at risk youth in need. Shanell continues to be a positive force by helping youth and their families navigate the ups and downs of living in a neighborhood impacted by social inequity and traumatic experiences. Shanell also serves as a community advocate, grant writer, researcher, grief counselor and community leader. Shanell attends church at New Psalmist Worship Center in Newark, NJ
Shanell enjoys painting, listening to music and being with family. Her future goals are to continue advocating and be a community leader fighting for Social Justice and Systemic Change. Her Story is Our Story!
