Shannon Hahn | Operations Director
Shannon Hahn was born in South Orange County and feels fortunate to have grown up in a community which prioritizes equal access to programs for all students regardless of levels of educational need.
Always intrigued by opportunities to interact with students who were mainstreamed into the school district, she recognized her increasing desire to pursue involvement in supporting programs that would enhance their lives. Shannon’s value of social justice led her to advocate for equal access to resources for this important part of our society.
Her family life afforded her hands-on experience, as her mom provided afterschool daycare for special needs children and her step father taught as a Special Education teacher for 32 years. Shannon thrived in the learning environment, and she volunteered throughout the years with students ranging from elementary education through the Adult Education and Vocational Programs. Shannon soon recognized her vision and passion for pursuing an education and career in this profession, with a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life.
One of Shannon’s fondest memories is her years volunteering with Special Olympics, witnessing the comradery and access to athletic games bringing a sense of pride and accomplishment for all.
Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach also provided an opportunity for Shannon to participate in helping children cope as they courageously faced health issues, battling a variety of illnesses and traumatic challenges in life.
To build on her foundation, Shannon’s academic background includes attending Concordia University in Irvine, California, in the liberal arts studies program. In the summer of 2007, Shannon began exploring the job field and searched for an organization that focused on providing for and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Since June 2007, Shannon was fortunate to serve as an Independent Living Instructor, Coordinator and Manager of Client Services in Los Angeles and Orange County. As part of the management team, Shannon made significant contributions towards a hopeful future of having meaningful independent lives while she witnessed the individuals she supported develop a sense of accomplishment in contributing to society. Shannon is grateful for the numerous opportunities to empower and partner with these individuals and fellow staff members with shared goals for success.
One of her most recent contributions is the development of the Level Life social program. As Shannon met with many of the individuals she supports and their parents, she became aware of the consistent theme of concern for these individuals ' lives beyond their parents’ living years. This led her to further develop a program to provide a sense of community and lasting friendships.
Shannon strives to keep these individuals motivated and hopeful in reaching for their goals and experiencing satisfaction and pride in their abilities rather than their disabilities. Shannon’s source of inspiration, her everyday heroes, are the individuals she supports, who have become her role models and teachers in life.