Shawn’s Story of Hope

My name is Shawn McKinney.

I was born in February 1978 and raised in Marietta, Georgia.

I am the owner and operator of Handyman McKinney’s L.L.C.

I arrived at The Extension on September 1st, 2017. Broken from a life of bad choices. The Extension was the answer to a lot of desperate prayers. I began to learn about myself, why I lived the way I did and how to change, to never live that way again. As I started to rebuild my life, I began to feel a new belief that I could do more with my life.

That has become a reality in many different ways. I worked the 12 steps, I applied these spiritual principles in my everyday affairs, I got a home group and many different service positions over the years. I started my own company in 2019. I got married in 2018 to my beautiful wife Tarah. We have a beautiful daughter together, Micah (9) and 2 step sons, Tyler (22) and Kaiden (18). We are all very close. My wife and I got baptized in our faith in 2021. We are active in our congregation and study the bible regularly together as a family.

My wife and I are both active in the recovery community. Tarah is an Alumni of Ridgeview herself and holds a service commitment.

I helped start and run a men’s AA meeting that has tripled in size. I am currently the president of The Alumni Group at The Extension. I have been committed to the Extension. I do service work, not as a burden but with a joyful attitude. I have been a part of the Sunday night Gratitude Meeting for about 6 years straight. Working with the guys at The Extension is definitely a highlight of my life. I sponsor guys constantly.

In my business I employ men from The Extension as well. I run my company like I run my life, with honesty, integrity, and willingness. I enjoy making beautiful spaces for people and their families. All in all I give praise where praise is due, to God Himself. He always opens doors for me to walk through to better myself and the people around me.