Staff: Shambria Young

Shambria Young is Program Director for Friends of the Children - Houston Chapter. Shambria Young joined Friends of the Children in 2014 as a Professional Mentor and quickly progressed to Team Lead due to her deeply rooted commitment to the organization's mission and values.

Shambria is a Florida native, she began her professional career with Friends of the Children - Tampa Bay Chapter. After doing research about the Houston area, Shambria felt the need to bring her knowledge and expertise to the metro Houston area to aid in providing a service that the children and families of Houston can benefit from.

She is motivated by the old African Proverb" It takes a village to raise a child." Exhibiting this connection through her work, by demonstrating the importance of providing a safe and healthy environment, where children are given the security, they need to develop, flourish, and realize their hopes and dreams.

Throughout her career, Shambria has been an advisor, mentor, facilitator and team member providing robust knowledge in numerous capacities. That includes being a contracted provider for the Agency of Persons with Disabilities (APD), and an avid children's advocate within her community volunteering her time with local community partners, such as Girls That Rock- Plant City, and Junior Womens Club- Plant City. In addition, she has extensive experience in the ABA arena, as a Behavioral Technician assisting children and families through the web of bureaucratic procedures that impact Autistic Youth.

Shambria received her bachelor's degree at the illustrious Bethune Cookman University in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Religion and Philosophy, and a master's at Nova Southeastern University in Human Services- Child Protection. Ultimately, Shambria's goal is to know that all children regardless of background or circumstances have an equal opportunity for a happy productive life.