Meet Robert Washington

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Robert Washington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Robert below.

Hi Robert , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my mom. Growing up, I watched her carry the weight of the world on her shoulders as a single mother, yet she never let it break her spirit. Even when times were tough, she found a way to make sure we had what we needed — and somehow, she did it with grace, love, and faith. Her strength taught me that no matter what life throws your way, you keep going, you keep believing, and you find a way forward. That’s the kind of resilience I carry with me every day.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Shelter Share, we’re passionate about building stronger communities by connecting nonprofits, shelters, and organizations with the resources and visibility they need to make a bigger impact. Our platform helps nonprofits streamline their operations, share available services, and collaborate with local partners — all in one place.

What’s most exciting about what we do is how technology meets compassion. We’re not just creating another app — we’re creating a movement that makes generosity easier and more accessible. Shelter Share empowers organizations to share real-time updates on needs, donations, volunteer opportunities, and community programs.

What makes Shelter Share truly special is our partnership-driven approach. We believe collaboration is key — so we work hand-in-hand with nonprofits, community leaders, and corporate partners to build tools that actually solve problems on the ground.

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What’s New

We’re thrilled to announce our new onboarding program for nonprofits and organizations, designed to make joining Shelter Share easier than ever. This includes:
• Personalized setup support
• Training resources and live onboarding sessions
• Tiered pricing plans to fit organizations of all sizes

We’re also expanding our network nationwide, with new partnerships that help amplify local impact through shared technology and data-driven collaboration.

And we’re especially proud to introduce the Rise Ready Workshop, our newest youth initiative. This workshop is focused on empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to rise into leadership and readiness for life beyond shelter and support systems. Through mentorship, education, and hands-on training, Rise Ready inspires the next generation to lead with empathy, resilience, and purpose.

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A Message to Our Community

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that every shelter, every organization, and every young person matters. Whether you’re running a local food pantry, a youth empowerment program, or a national housing initiative, Shelter Share is here to help you connect, grow, and serve your community more effectively.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on our journey with Shelter Share, three qualities have truly shaped our growth and success:

1. Empathy-Driven Leadership

At the heart of everything we do is empathy — understanding the real challenges that nonprofits, shelters, and the people they serve face every day. That emotional awareness helped us design solutions that actually meet needs rather than just look good on paper.

Advice: Spend time listening — to your community, your team, and your users. Volunteer, attend local events, and ask questions. The best innovations come from understanding people first, not from assuming you already know what they need.

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2. Adaptability and Resilience

Building something meaningful — especially in the nonprofit and tech space — means navigating constant change. Whether it’s new technology, funding shifts, or community needs, staying flexible and learning as you go is key.

Advice: Don’t be afraid to pivot. Treat challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and smarter. Keep a “learn-it-all” mindset instead of a “know-it-all” one — that’s where real progress happens.

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3. Collaborative Mindset

Shelter Share wouldn’t exist without partnerships. Every step forward came from joining forces with people and organizations who shared our vision for community impact. Collaboration multiplies what’s possible.

Advice: Build relationships intentionally. Partner with people who share your values, not just your goals. Be open, generous with your knowledge, and willing to celebrate others’ successes — that energy comes back around in powerful ways.

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Final Thought

Whether you’re starting a nonprofit, a social enterprise, or a new community project, remember: progress begins with purpose. Stay rooted in why you started, stay humble enough to learn, and surround yourself with people who believe in your mission as much as you do.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Shelter Share is always looking for partners and collaborators who share our vision of building stronger, more connected communities. We believe collaboration isn’t just part of our work — it is our work.

We’re especially interested in connecting with:
• Nonprofits and shelters looking to expand their visibility, streamline operations, or share resources more effectively through technology.
• Community organizations that provide services in areas like housing, food access, youth empowerment, mental health, and family support.
• Corporate partners and sponsors who want to invest in community impact and support the digital tools that help local organizations thrive.
• Educational and youth-focused groups who want to collaborate on initiatives like our Rise Ready Workshop, helping young people develop leadership, life, and career readiness skills.

At Shelter Share, we know that when organizations work together — share data, resources, and solutions — everyone benefits. Our partnerships are about creating lasting systems of support, not just one-time collaborations.

How to Connect

If you’re reading this and feel inspired to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you. You can connect with us directly at:
[email protected]

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Shauna Kay Washington

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