The Heart Behind S&K Caring4Life

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S&K Caring4Life was founded from a place of purpose, service, faith, and personal experience. The organization was created to bring hope, education, and support to individuals and families affected by mental health challenges, addiction, and life struggles.

The vision for S&K Caring4Life was developed by Founder & CEO Shelda L. Askew and Co-Founder Russell E Johnson, who share a deep commitment to helping others through faith, recovery support, community education, and service.

Together, they created S&K Caring4Life with the mission of training people to help save lives while encouraging hope to live life.

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A Journey of Purpose

Before founding S&K Caring4Life, Shelda L. Askew worked as an Administrator of Operations in the mental health field, where she supported multiple adult care facilities and worked closely with individuals facing mental health challenges and life transitions.

Through these experiences, she witnessed how many individuals struggled with addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges without fully understanding the recovery resources available to them. She also saw how stigma and lack of education often prevented people from seeking the help they needed.

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Over time, Shelda realized her true purpose was to focus on advocacy, recovery education, and peer support.

She later became a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, allowing her to combine her professional knowledge with her lived experience in recovery. Through this work, she began helping individuals understand that recovery is possible and that healing can happen when people receive the right support and encouragement.

This passion eventually led to the creation of S&K Caring4Life LLC, where she now serves as a peer support advocate, trainer, consultant, and speaker, educating communities about recovery, wellness, and preventive crisis planning.

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A Life of Service 

Russell E. Johnson, Co-Founder of S&K Caring4Life, has dedicated his life to service, leadership, and protecting others.

Russell proudly served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring with the  rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. Throughout his military career, he demonstrated strong leadership, commitment, and dedication while serving his country and mentoring others.

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After retiring from the Marine Corps, Russell  continued his commitment to public service by pursuing a career in law enforcement. He now serves as a Police Lieutenant  at a Marine Base in North Carolina, where he helps protect and support the military community.

His years of experience in both the military and law enforcement have shaped his strong belief in discipline, leadership, faith, and community responsibility.

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Beyond his professional duties, Russell is deeply passionate about helping individuals who are facing challenges related to addiction, trauma, and life transitions. Through his own faith and spiritual experiences, coupled with experiences working with people from many different backgrounds, he understands how important it is for individuals to have guidance, structure, encouragement, and hope.

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Russell  Johnson plays a key role in supporting the mission of S&K Caring4Life by helping develop programs that focus on faith-based encouragement, peer recovery support, and community transformation. His leadership, faith, and dedication to helping others inspire the organization’s vision of creating stronger and healthier communities.

Turning Experience into Purpose

Together, Shelda and Russell combined their professional experience, personal journeys, and shared faith to create S&K Caring4Life.​ Their vision was to build an organization that not only supports individuals in recovery but also educates communities, trains peer advocates, and empowers individuals to take control of their wellness and life goals.

S&K Caring4Life focuses on programs that provide:

• Peer recovery advocacy
• Wellness and life skills training
• Faith-based recovery support
• Crisis prevention education
• Community empowerment programs

Through these programs, the organization works to help individuals build confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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Faith, Recovery, and Community 

Faith and community support are at the heart of S&K Caring4Life. The organization believes that true healing happens when individuals are supported emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

By combining peer support, wellness education, life skills training, and faith-based encouragement, S&K Caring4Life provides a holistic approach that empowers individuals to move forward with hope and strength.

Looking Toward the Future

What began as a personal calling has grown into a mission dedicated to helping individuals and communities move toward healing, stability, and empowerment.

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​Shelda and Russell continue working to expand S&K Caring4Life’s training programs and outreach efforts so more individuals can receive the support, education, and encouragement they need.

Their shared vision remains rooted in the organization’s guiding message:

“Training People to Help Save Lives While Encouraging Hope to Live Life.”