Why We Step Up: John Sheedy, Board Member

Our #WhyWeStepUp series continues with a story that’s close to home for Step Up Parents board member John Sheedy.

John didn’t just hear about kinship caregiving; he lived it. When his niece’s parents were unable to provide her with a stable home, John and his wife stepped in to raise her alongside their three daughters. Their experience brought a deeper understanding of the realities that many kinship caregivers face.

“When I first learned about Step Up Parents, I felt a personal connection with its mission, as my wife and I have raised our niece due to her parents’ struggles with substance use,” John shares. “We have experienced both the challenges and rewards of providing kinship care.”

Though John’s family was fortunate to be able to provide for their niece without financial assistance, he knows many others aren’t in the same position. “I know many families face financial struggles that make kinship caregiving much more difficult,” he says. “I hope my involvement with Step Up Parents can help make a positive impact in their lives.”

A lifelong New Englander, John grew up in Southern New Hampshire and now lives in Berwick, Maine. He works as a Senior Product Manager at B2W Software in Portsmouth and brings years of professional experience in technology and software to his role on the Step Up Parents board.

We’re grateful to have John’s voice and leadership on our board, and we thank him for stepping up at home and in our community.

Stay tuned for more profiles in our #WhyWeStepUp series.