Shannah Parr is from Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with her involvement with Common Thread, she is also a Master Aesthetician. She works for a medical spa, but her heart is focused on donating her services to people in need.

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Shannah connected with Common Thread when she taught an acne class for the teens and immediately fell in love with the program, continuing to help out in any way she could. Helping others in need—especially those going through trauma—is truly where her heart lies.

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Shannah’s mother was 15 when she had her. Though her mother was a great parent, Shannah’s childhood was tough, and she experienced some of the same trauma that many of the teens Common Thread serves have been through. Her late husband also had a traumatic childhood after being kicked out of his home by his mother as a young teen and growing up with an absentee father. They bonded over their shared childhood experiences. Tragically, her husband was killed in Iraq in 2007 when their son was four years old.

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She witnessed her son struggle with the loss of his father, especially during his teen years. Fortunately, as a Gold Star child, he was able to participate in a program that brought children together for a yearly healing trip. Shannah saw the power of connection firsthand—how bringing children together with shared experiences helped jumpstart the healing process.

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Her personal experience, combined with her late husband’s story and her son’s journey through grief, gave her a deep passion for supporting other kids experiencing trauma. She always hoped a program like the one her son attended would exist for all teens in need. When she met Rachel Garrett and learned about Common Thread, she knew she wanted to be involved.

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It is now her life’s mission and passion to help create a safe space for all teens going through trauma.