About Anchored4Life

Over the years, many people have asked how Anchored4Life® got started. The Trevor Romain Company has been working with the military since 2007, providing social and emotional support through With You All the Way Tours. The Tour has been presented in 16 countries and has impacted over 500,000 youth. During this time, the Trevor Romain Company made connections with Navy CNIC CYP and NRSE Region SL. Anchored4Life® would not be a reality without their vision, inspiration, and persistence.

OUR PARTNERS

In August 2015, The United States Navy awarded The Trevor Romain Company a contract to provide transition and resiliency programming to military-connected youth and their classmates. Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton, Executive Director, and Mrs. Tabitha Gable, Director of Development, were hired to develop and implement this program. The initial name of the program was The Trevor Romain Transition and Resiliency Program, shortened as TRTRP. While Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton was on her way to a meeting to present information about TRTRP, she spotted a boat anchor. Given the program was designed to build resilient life skills and a firm foundation, the name Anchored4Life® became a better fit. A strong anchor will keep you balanced for life. Developing those peer-to-peer resiliency life skills would set youth up for a lifetime of success.

Dr. Shawna and Tabitha worked hard to develop a program that meets the needs of worldwide military-connected elementary-age youth and their classmates. After the development phase was complete, the program launched in March 2016 in Millington, TN, at Millington and EA Harrold Elementary Schools. These schools have shown that the vision can become a reality. The Marine Corps partnered with Anchored4Life® in October 2016, and the Air Force partnered with Anchored4Life® in January 2018.

In August 2018, after focus groups were held to ensure there was youth representation, the middle school-age programming was ready to be piloted. The pilot was done in Virginia Beach. After a year of implementation and feedback working with Virgnia Beach, the program was expanded worldwide.

a4l-team

A Year To Remember

2020 was a year that all of us will remember. This is also the year Anchored4Life® was planning to implement high school programming, and Anchored4Life® received an extension to delay the program. During 2020, Anchored4Life® grew quickly based on the need to support military-connected youth and their classmates in building those resiliency life skills. The Army partnered with Anchored4Life® to train select locations beginning in October 2020.

In August 2022, the high school pilot began in Virginia Beach, Florida, California, and New Mexico. The training and program materials were designed based on research and youth participation; it was vital for the high school training that steps were taken to even greater measures due to limited research after the pandemic. Focus groups helped with each feature, and the overall theme from the focus groups was that stress had to be reduced. The club features were used, and the high school programming has been provided to locations worldwide.

When a need is brought to us, we work hard to understand the need and to find a solution. A need was brought to us for Teen Centers on military installations. The Navy asked us to design a program to meet the continued needs of the Teen Center locations. Anchored4Life developed the Teen Center programming and began the pilot in December 2023.

States
0
Countries
0
Territories
0
District of Columbia
0

Over the years we have grown to include over 40 States, 10 Countries, 2 Territories, and the District of Columbia. When adding locations, we worked hard to find dedicated staff whose passion is the same as ours, to help children become happier, healthier, and more confident. We are a small but might team. Please see our group picture below and click on our individual photos to learn more about our team.

A4L Team

Our Team

Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton

Executive Director

Tabitha Gable

Director of Development

Shane Oliva

Learning Consultant

Karen White

Learning Consultant

Tami Patton

Learning Consultant

Jennifer Drullinger

Learning Consultant

Anita Benton

Learning Consultant

Shannon Flaherty

Learning Consultant

Kristy To

Learning Consultant

We want to recognize Advisers and Team Leaders who will implement this training in schools and child youth programs around the globe. Our military youth must stay connected while learning resiliency life skills and integrating into their communities. It takes resolute Advisers and Team Leaders to ensure this outcome. Anchored4Life® has trained thousands of youth and hundreds of Advisers in over 10 Countries, from elementary through high school. Providing connections while building resiliency life skills for youth to become productive young adults has been and will remain our focus. We continue to be honored and privileged to watch youth grow as they learn new life skills. 

We look forward to many more years of making connections, building life skills, and seeing youth grow into productive 
young adults.

Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton, Executive Director

Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton

Executive Director

Having experienced many of the transitions that Anchored4Life covers in the life skills provided and understanding through experience the vital importance of having a strong support system to overcome life challenges, Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton has dedicated her life to helping others succeed. Shawna earned her Doctorate in Organizational Psychology. Her passion for helping others has led to the development and implementation of multiple programs for children, youth, adults, and family members. Whether providing one on one support to her 20 plus years of leadership, Shawna’s dedication to the helping profession has made a positive impact on families worldwide. This passion continues with Anchored4Life, as the

Executive Director, Shawna has the honor and privilege of helping to develop Anchored4Life which makes a difference in the lives to youth each day. Shawna is dedicated to Anchored4Life for both personal and professional reasons. Shawna has a long line of family that has served our great Country. In fact, her grandfather and brother served in the Navy. Shawna sees the impact of the many challenges the military face. This continues to inspire her passion to give her best to make a difference for youth and their families.

When not working, Shawna enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, strengthening her faith, walking on the beach, adventures, and scrapbooking.

Tabitha Gable, Director of Development

Tabitha Gable

Director of Development

Tabitha Gable, a native of San Diego, CA. She earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and holds a license in Marriage and Family Therapy in the state of California. Tabitha has worked with children for over 10 years in hospice care, foster care, and within school settings. She has received extensive training in grief, trauma, play therapy, parenting skills, and military issues. She also had the honor and privilege of living and working with military adolescents in Germany. Tabitha has a passion and strong desire to support children and to help families succeed. Tabitha is deeply honored to be able to co-develop Anchored4Life and hold a position where she can collaborate, mentor, and bring out the best in our staff as well as develop and streamline operations for the betterment of Anchored4Life and the locations that we serve.

She resides in Alabama near Redstone Arsenal, an Army post, with her husband, son, and daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, doing yoga, watching TV, and trying new food.

Shane Oliva - Learning Consultant

Shane Oliva

Learning Consultant

Shane Oliva is a passionate, energetic, and empathetic professional who thoroughly enjoys positively affecting the lives of youth and their families. As a graduate of Arizona State University and the University of Great Falls, he has worked with youth of all ages in a multitude of settings over the past 10 years. Shane has lived in Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, and Montana, but currently resides in Austin, Texas.

In his free time, he enjoys cooking, live music, and numerous outdoor activities. Shane is humbled and honored to be a Learning Consultant with Anchored4Life, and he looks forward to continuing to empower youth and those who support them.

Karen White

Karen White

Learning Consultant

Karen White has a heart for working with and helping empower children, families, and those who work with them, and she is thrilled to be part of the Anchored4Life team where she can continue this work with another thing she is passionate about – our amazing military. For the past 7.5 years, Karen worked as a counselor with our military, helping both adults and children navigate the challenges of being part of a military family. Karen worked in Child/Youth Development Centers, military schools, and family centers counseling and training on topics including resiliency, school issues, bullying, stress management, family and relationship issues, and deployment and reintegration issues.Karen earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from Mississippi State University and has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2004. She has worked with children, teens, and adults in individual and group settings her entire career and has also led seminars and interactive workshops on various topics and worked as a substitute teacher in both middle and high schools.

Karen recently experienced her own major transition when she moved back to her hometown of Jackson, MS after living and working mainly overseas for 6 years. To help stay strong and deal with her mixed feelings, Karen spends time with her family and friends, including some new friends from her new church. She also enjoys cycling, running, traveling and volunteering with Team Red, White, and Blue Jackson.

Tami Patton

Tami Patton

Learning Consultant

Tami Patton is passionate about empowering kids and those who support them. She is a military spouse of 28 years and the proud mother of three amazingly resilient kids. Tami earned a Masters of Education degree from East Carolina University and is a certified Teacher. She has the absolute pleasure of being a Learning Consultant with Anchored4Life, where she can continue to make a positive impact for kids, especially those with parents who serve in our nation’s military. Tami has extensive experience in the fields of child development, transition, and resiliency. Tami is based in Virginia. In her free time, Tami enjoys water sports, hiking and quality time with her family.

Jennifer Drullinger

Jennifer Drullinger​

Learning Consultant

Jennifer Drullinger joined the Anchored4Life team in August 2020. She has a passion for education and childhood development, which is why Jennifer was attracted to coming on-board as a Learning Consultant for Anchored4Life. She enjoys teaching students the skills to help them become happier, healthier, and more confident. Jennifer is a native of Brenham, Texas – home of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

She earned her B.S. in Mathematics with a Minor in Secondary Education from Texas State University, and her Master’s in School Counseling from Lamar University. She currently lives in Brenham, TX with her husband and two young daughters.

Anita Benton

Anita Benton

Learning Consultant

Anita Benton joined the Anchored4Life team in August 2021. She is excited to be teaching and supporting youth, especially those whose parents serve in our nation’s military. She earned her B.S. in Mathematics, a Minor in Secondary Education, and a M.S. in Instructional Technology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a retired North Carolina school teacher who has taught children of all ages as well as adults. As one of the youngest in a family of six children and the daughter of a World War II veteran, she was taught to respect and admire the families of servicemen in all branches of the military. This is one of the reasons she was drawn to the Anchored4Life mission. She is honored to be a Learning Consultant with Anchored4Life where she can continue to make a positive impact for children by teaching skills that increase confidence and resilience.

She has been married for over 35 years, has two grown children, and has two very precious grandchildren. As a native of NC, Anita has always lived near the coast and enjoys boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and exploring the many grand lighthouses along our US coastlines.

Shannon Waites

Shannon Flaherty

Learning Consultant

Shannon Flaherty has worked with families and youth for all her professional career. Starting off in public education working within the ESE department, long-term substitute teacher, and case management for at-risk families. She has volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem, the 2019 Juvenile Justice Citizens Academy and with the Girl Scouts. She is passionate about creating connections, helping families discover their resiliency and other important life skills. She is honored to be one of the newest members of the Anchored4Life team, where she can use her past professional & personal experience to help empower today’s youth and military families. Shannon herself was a military youth through elementary school and has family, past, and current, serving in the military. Shannon has a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has certifications in Mental Health First Aid and Milieu Therapy.

Shannon loves cooking, music, travel, reading, and outdoor activities. She recently moved from Florida to Tennessee and is enjoying exploring the natural beauty her new state has to offer.

Kristy To

Kristy To

Learning Consultant

Kristy is a results-oriented professional with extensive training and experience in youth programs. Throughout her entire career, she has been dedicated to working closely with youth and their communities. Her passion for making a difference is reflected in her commitment to assisting individuals of all ages. Raised in California, Kristy completed her academic journey with a B.A. in Education and became a certified Teacher. Prior to teaching she worked as a Program Coordinator, followed by Senior Program Manager of youth programs. In 2016, Kristy ventured from California to Florida, bringing along her passion for youth mentorship. Since her relocation, she has consistently engaged with children of various age groups, leveraging her ten years of teaching experience to make a lasting impact. Kristy’s excitement is palpable as she embarks on a new chapter with the Anchored4life team. In her role as a Learning Consultant, she aspires to contribute meaningfully to the educational journeys of youth, helping them learn, grow, and flourish. In her free time

Kristy enjoys going to the beautiful beaches in Florida, playing and watching sports such as soccer or hockey, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Add Your Heading Text Here

About Anchored4Life Over the years, many people have asked how Anchored4Life® got started. The Trevor Romain Company has been working with the military since 2007, providing social and emotional support through With You All the Way Tours. The Tour has
Competence

Coping

Healthy strategies to handle situations.

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life: 

  • Social Skills
  • Stress reduction skills
  • Ability to identify setbacks (positive and negative)

Coping is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Utilizing peer-to-peer led groups on our Topics to model, teach, and practice life skill development.
  • Anchored4Life and participating locations provide training to Team Leaders to support their peers with identifying setbacks and ways to bounce back.
  • Actively encouraging the development of an individualized coping skill plan for youth to use in distressing situations.
  • Sharing positive and inspiring Quotes to assist with overcoming setbacks.
  • Providing access to Family Guidebooks. Guidebooks are a compilation of tips and resources for parents and caregivers to feel more knowledgeable in being able to support their youth struggling with change.
REALKTALK
Competence

Connection

Sense of belonging, rapid integration.

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • A strong sense of belonging and sense of security
  • Strong values
  • Ability to create and maintain strong relationships with friends, family, and the community.

Connection is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Encouraging classroom support to build lasting connections. 
  • Implementing Anchored4Life Features to support connecting youth to their participating location, community, and friends/family.
  • Modeling and practicing introductions with adults and peers.
  • Ensuring new youth are welcomed and connected with others at the participating location.
  • Connecting participating locations through social media and Shout Outs.
  • Creating a safe and supportive environment with safe individuals’ youth know they can reach out to for help.
REALKTALK
Competence

Competence

Handles situations effectively.

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • Healthy coping mechanisms for real life situations.  
  • Increasing confidence in leading their peers. 
  • Knowing what to do to overcome a stressful situation. 
  • Knowing when to ask for help.  
  • Cultural Competence 

Competence is integrated into life skills development by: 

  • Providing Peer-led groups for opportunities to practice. 
  • Monthly peer-led Meetings to build leadership skills. 
  • Team Leaders modeling and implementing the A4L Features. 
  • Selecting Advisers who are trained to facilitate a safe and secure environment for peer-to-peer support to flourish. 
  • Giving Advisers additional knowledge to better support their participating location (i.e. Adviser Monthly Support). 
  • Being open minded to differences and embracing those differences in peers and community cultures. 
REALKTALK
Competence

Confidence

Self-esteem building

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • Youth who trust in their abilities
  • Acquire mastery of skills
  • Make good choices and develop integrity

Confidence is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Identifying and using strengths to encourage and motivate in overcoming obstacles.
  • Hosting peer-led groups
  • Using quotes to maintain a positive mindset.
  • Teaching connections to build strong relationships.
  • Building trust with safe adults.
  • Encouraging youth to get out of their comfort zone to lay a foundation to be open to new experiences.
REALKTALK
Competence

Character

Developing a longstanding focus on responsibility

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • Kindness towards others.
  • A strong sense of self-worth and confidence.
  • Knowing the difference between right and wrong.
  • Making choices that align with youths’ values.

Character is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Identifying the needs of the community and addressing them through Service Projects.
  • Using peer-led groups for a safe environment to identify values and practice making wise choices.
  • Promoting kindness through our topics.
  • Approaching all youth with a smile and an open attitude to learn more about them.
  • Understanding that “different” is okay and taking the time to listen to others.
REALKTALK
Competence

Contribution

Helping peers and service to others

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • All youth MATTER!
  • Helping others feels good and is driven by commitment and responsibility.
  • Motivating youth to take action.

Contribution is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Encouraging our Team Leaders and their participating location to personally contribute to a service project from start to finish.
  • Acknowledging the Team Leaders for their contribution to Anchored4Life and their positive impact on their peers.
  • Advisers and Team Leaders modeling generosity with their time and resources.
  • Inspiring Team Leaders to help others.
  • Showing Team Leaders how their efforts have made a difference in the lives of others.
REALKTALK
Competence

Control

Having responsibility to make wise choices

Life Skills taught by Anchored4Life:

  • Youth can control outcomes of their decisions and actions. 
  • Realizing there is a consequence for their choices (positive or negative).
  • Responsibility 

Control is integrated into life skills development by:

  • Encouraging youth to recognize even their small successes so they know they can succeed.
  • Advisers and supportive adults provide praise when making positive choices.
  • Peer-led meetings provide Team Leaders the opportunity to make decisions and take action on A4L Features. Advisers are advised to take a step back in the implementation.
  • Peer-to-Peer programming affords Team Leaders to be positive influencers.
REALKTALK

Submit Shout Out Request

Oops! You need to be logged in to use this form.

Ordering Notice

Each trained location can order 2 Crew Member Lanyards per classroom with your initial order.

Step 1: Identify the number of classrooms Pre-K thru 5/6 grade.

Step 2: Take the number of classrooms x 2 = Total number of requested lanyards

Step 3: Place the total number in the quantity box

Ordering Notice

Each location can order a maximum of 15 Team Leader Badge.