Meet Shannon Motter, licensed alcohol and drug counselor and assistant executive director/clinical director at Santa Monica, Inc.
Tell us a little about your business. – Santa Monica (www.santamonicahouse.org) is a safe haven for women who are struggling with a substance use disorder. We provide the women we serve with a strong foundation to start healing from trauma, recover from their addiction, while empowering them to become self-sufficient, independent, and live a life free of the bondage of addiction. We provide strength, hope, and guidance to the women that come to Santa Monica.
How did you get started in the business? – My career started when I accepted a practicum at NOVA Treatment Community located in Omaha. Once I completed my practicum, I started working as a therapeutic mentor eventually becoming a counselor.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – COVID forced us to revise our program at Santa Monica, ensuring the women we served were safe by incorporating a strong plan of action to minimize potential harm.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Helping to provide a strong foundation for women to become the best version of themselves, live substance free, gain self-worth, reunite with their children, and become who they were intended to be. When I see the success of the women we serve, that is when I am most content.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married to my husband Keith for 25 years. We have two children, a son Mason (24) and a daughter Mya (19). My son is married to his wife Brianna, and they have three sons, Ashur, Everette, and Jett. I also have a Boston terrier named Willie.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spend time with friends and family. I also love to have nothing planned and just cozy up with a soft blanket and binge watch TV.
Who inspires you? – My children.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Better late than ugly!”
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Empathetic.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Owning a flower shop. I do not have a green thumb at all—I would hire my mother for that part and then I’d make the flower arrangements.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – The Women’s Center for Advancement. I love their mission.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – I enjoy books written by Dean Koontz. If I had to pick an all-time favorite, I would say the children’s book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
What is your favorite TV show? – I watch a lot of Housewives of Orange County, Beverly Hills, etc. I also enjoy watching Dateline.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Mama’s Pizza.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Marilyn Monroe.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 558-7088; shannon@santamonicahouse.org; www.santamonicahouse.org.