August 29, 2024
Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Erika, Jenni, and Brittney.
To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Cardinal Crew, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, cofounded by two sisters Stephanie Brode and Erika Shoop, stemmed from their personal experiences witnessing their parents’ struggle with addiction. The Cardinal Crew is dedicated to aiding families affected by addiction through an array of initiatives. Growing up the sisters recognized a glaring lack of resources and education in the community, compounded by the pervasive stigma attached to addiction. This organization is specifically tailored to support family members impacted by the addiction of others, offering a lifeline of assistance and understanding. Through inclusive community events, they strive to demonstrate that enjoyment can be found without reliance on substances, offering accessible, low-to-no cost activities for all. Additionally, The Cardinal Crew awards educational and personal development scholarships annually to those affected by addiction within their families, fostering growth and resilience. Looking forward, 2025 initiatives are poised to extend their impact further by delivering essential telehealth services to underinsured individuals affected by addiction, bridging crucial gaps in access to care. With unwavering commitment, the crew’s goal is to break down barriers, combat stigma, and provide essential support to those navigating the complexities of addiction.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far? Though the road to where they are now has been incredibly beautiful and fulfilling, Co-founder Erika Shoop notes that they didn’t make it to where they are now without a few bumps along the way. “Losing our father to his addiction is really what pushed us to jump on this idea. We jumped right in and quickly learned that starting a nonprofit is not for the faint of heart. In the beginning I was still a full-time student, working a part time job on top of completing 40+ hour weeks in clinicals for Physical Therapist Assisting. My sister, Stephanie was working full time as a primary care physician on top of raising her young children. Balancing the demands of life, careers in healthcare, and grieving the loss of our father on top of the responsibilities of establishing a new organization led to significant time constraints and stress. Even further, navigating legal requirements, securing funding, and building a team for the nonprofit required substantial effort and dedication. Thankfully along the way we were able to welcome two new members to our crew, Director of Operations, Jenni Stallard, and Operations Assistant, Brittney Putman. Without these incredible women, The Cardinal Crew would be nowhere near where it is today. Their tireless efforts help us to focus on the big picture – helping kids and families affected by this horrible disease.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Cardinal Crew?
The Cardinal Crew is pleased to offer low-cost community events in order to raise awareness for the addiction epidemic and show the community that enjoyment can be found without reliance on substances. Additionally, they offer resources, educational content, annual scholarships, and coming soon – no cost telehealth services for the underinsured populations in the community. Their largest event yet, The Wings of Compassion Gala will be taking place on November 9th, 2024. It features live entertainment, dinner, a photo booth, silent auction, raffles, door prizes and more! General admission tickets start at $125, with lower cost ticket options for children and teens. They are also offering a discounted price when you purchase a table of 8 – perfect for families that want to sit together, or businesses that would like to be present at the event.
What were you like growing up?
My favorite memories involving my dad growing up were of him coaching my softball team, going to the barn to visit my horse and participating in horse shows. He also coached my sister and I in bowling and we were a generally outdoorsy family. As our father’s behavior and health began to decline due to alcohol related medical issues, we transitioned into more interests outside of the home to protect our own metal health. I continued to ride and care for my horse and enjoyed even more time outdoors hiking and camping. At the same time, Stephanie shifted her focus to completing her degree in medicine and became more interested in running and competing in pageants.
Pricing:
Wings of Compassion Gala 11.9.24 – $125 General Admission (includes entertainment, meal)
Wings of Compassion Gala 11.9.24 – $900 (Table of 8, 8 General Admission Tickets, Advertising)
Northern Ohio Charity Pageant 11.9.24- $40 (includes entry to pageant and one free Gala ticket for the contestant)
Cardinal Crew 5k May 2025 – ~$40
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.cardinalcrew.org
Instagram: cardinal.crew.oh
