Why We Give: Shea Wylen

Shea Wylen

Shea Wylen (they/them) would describe themself as a “community connector.” When they are not working part time on strategy at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, Shea is actively introducing people to causes they can be passionate about. In fact, giving and volunteer advocacy is such a large part of Shea’s life, they recently won the Austin Under 40 Award for the Nonprofit Category. And if you ask Shea why they spend so much time giving back, they will say, “If in this lifetime, I get to be a friend or mentor for someone else who is struggling, it will be the greatest accomplishment I could hope to achieve.”

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Shea to hear why they give in honor of Pride Month.

Q: Since you’re a nonprofit professional, let’s start there. On LinkedIn you describe yourself as someone who is dedicated to inspiring generosity in the community through both work and life. Can you expand more on that? 

One of the things that I've tried to accomplish is if I'm working for specifically a nonprofit that has really a narrow focus on one mission, for example, homelessness, I want to balance that out with some of my other passions in my personal life.

 I have a really big passion for youth in the foster care system. And during this past Spring Break, I saw an opportunity to volunteer at PEAKS Camp. And I remember seeing that opportunity and immediately thinking, camp is an essential life experience for so many individuals. I love youth, foster care, but also summer camp. So when I saw that opportunity to volunteer and get hands-on in multiple areas of personal interest, I was super excited about it.

 I think that's why it's so important for me to share about the spirit of giving back, the spirit of connecting, generosity, not only in work, because I have worked in nonprofit for over 20 years, but also personally. I think in my life when I've connected with friends who are going through a challenging time or facing a big life decision, one of the first recommendations I always have is where can you give back? Where can you step outside of your situation and reconnect with your community, right? 

Q: You recently were honored as the 2025 Nonprofit category winner at the Austin Under 40 Awards. Congratulations! These awards are given to Austinites who are making an impact on our community. What would you say has been the personal impact you’re most proud of so far?

I genuinely think for me there isn't going to be one moment. I think it's going to be multiple moments where I have been able to introduce someone to a cause that they're really passionate about that makes them say, "Oh, I had no idea."

I think those experiences are going to drive a community that is more justice and equity centered and wanting to be more collaborative and wanting to thrive. 

I don't know that today Austin is thriving. I think Austin still has a long way to go when it comes to caring for its most vulnerable community members. But I think that when we are making those connections, we are introducing people to ways they can be generous, ways they can give back. That's the magic. That is the power in community and in transforming Austin to be a place where we're all thriving. 

Q: You are already so accomplished and have been immeasurably impactful in the community. Do you have any goals for your personal giving?

One of my biggest things that I've been wanting to do is reserve some of my time for my community here where I live in Elgin, TX.

It's a very small town and a lot of our volunteer opportunities are more hands-on. I have been exploring opportunities to give back on a more professional capacity where I'm able to use some of my superpowers and expertise to help a mission move forward.

Give where you live, right? Same with I Live Here I Give Here.

Q: What inspires you most to give back?

One of the most formative experiences of my childhood was when my family hosted a single father and his young daughter we met panhandling during the holidays. They had recently lost their housing and didn’t have anywhere to go, with Christmas just days away. I was in elementary school, but I remember how much care my parents put into making sure every detail of their stay felt thoughtful and special. It left a lasting impression on me…not just about generosity, but about how powerful it can be when a community comes together to offer dignity and joy during someone’s hardest moments.

My parents were just regular people who felt led to give back, never knowing that one day we would find ourselves in a similar situation. That experience became a blueprint for me. Each cause I’ve felt inspired to support connects directly to a personal lived experience - being removed from the home as a baby, coming out as LGBTQ, couch surfing, losing a parent unexpectedly, etc. In every season, there was always one friend, mentor, or family member who walked alongside me, reminding me of the power of community. If in this lifetime I get to be that person for someone else, it will be the greatest accomplishment I could hope to achieve. 

 
Q: How are you getting individuals and groups to give back?

When I talk to other individuals about volunteering, a lot of the time it's about understanding they have a lot of different talents, experiences, skills that they could volunteer. That they could give back in a different way. But really trying to match that to their family obligations. Or their work obligations, or what are their transportation commitments right now? And really trying to tailor their volunteerism to fit their lifestyle versus competing with their lifestyle.


Q: What are some of your favorite causes or local nonprofits to support?

Woo! There are so many. There are just absolutely so very very very many.

Of course Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center. They have grown to serve over 20,000 clients last year. So we have just seen insane growth. We were a 4 person staff and $200,000 budget when I started three years ago. Now we're over 80 staff and $5.2 million budget. We're doing phenomenal work. And when I say we, I really truly mean our direct care staff. They are phenomenal.

I think Out Youth has a really special place in my heart. I think in general being an LGBTQ youth in Texas right now is challenging and they provide a lifeline and resources that no one else is really able to provide. And so I'm very passionate about the work they're doing.

I'm very impressed by Equality Texas. They have phenomenal communications. They really are doing a wonderful job at helping to keep our community informed about the current legislative session.

A few others are, Keep Austin Fed, HomeAid, and Make-A-Wish. They cover a range of the services and missions I'm really passionate about.

I also love seeing local nonprofits in collaboration. So The Other Ones Foundation and the collaboration that they're doing with ACC (Nonprofit Austin). It’s pretty rad. I like to see nonprofits that are collaborating in a meaningful way. And that's really why I'm super excited about Sunrise's work because I think we do that. So any nonprofits who are out there meaningfully trying to collaborate is phenomenal.