About WakeUp Carolina

A Recovery Community Organization Serving The Greater Charleston, SC Area

Our Story, Our Promise

We invite you to be a part of the awakening.

WakeUp Carolina began with a promise. A promise made to a beautiful boy by his Mother ignited our community’s desire to affect change. We honor that promise and Creighton Shipman’s memory by supporting every youth battling substance use and their family.

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Mission & Purpose

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. -Mahatma Gandhi

More than bricks and mortar, WakeUp Carolina gives wings to the belief that there should be a safe place for our community to come together and provide hope, raise awareness, and facilitate recovery for Charleston’s youth, young adults and their families. Community partners throughout the area have united to address the rising substance misuse among our youth head-on.

Who We Are

Our Team & Leadership

We work to demonstrate the power and promise of Recovery from addiction, and the value Recovery provides to individuals, families, and entire communities throughout the Lowcountry.

Nanci Steadman Shipman
Founder & Executive Director

Dean Stephens
Business Development Director &
Berkeley Co. Director

Tim Maguire
Senior Program Director

Sidney Allen
Young Adult Program Manager

Elizabeth Szala
Program Coordinator

Brenda Nikic
Family Program Manager

Steve Meadows
Community Coordinator

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of volunteers committed to raising awareness, education, and support for Recovery. Today, with the support of a professional staff, the Board remains dedicated to advancing our mission and guiding the continued growth of WakeUp Carolina.

Jay Thrower
Chair

Blair Martin
Vice Chair

Kathleen Hay
Treasurer

Angela Burchfield
Secretary

Chris Mingledorff

Nanci Steadman Shipman

Our Team

Creighton’s Story

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Our Beliefs & Strategies

We are a recovery community organization (RCO), an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of our local recovery community. We organize recovery-focused advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and provide peer-based recovery support services.

Building strong, grassroots organizations

that develop leaders, offer opportunities for recovering people to express their collective voice, and provide a forum for community service.

Advocating for meaningful representation

for people in long-term recovery and their family members on issues that affect their lives.

Assessing needs

related to the adequacy and quality of local treatment and recovery support services.

Educating the public & service providers

about the prevalence and multiple pathways of addiction recovery.

Developing human & fiscal resources

by expanding philanthropic and public support for addiction treatment, recovery support services, and recovery advocacy, and cultivating volunteerism within local communities of recovery.

Celebrating recovery from addiction

through public events that offer living testimony of the transformative power of recovery.

#AmplifyRecovery: 10-Day Challenge for Educating & Amplifying Voices on Substance Use Impact

This 10-day challenge aims to break the stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD) by encouraging open conversations, sharing personal stories, and fostering a supportive community. The challenge offers two versions: one for those directly impacted by SUD and another for those less familiar with the issue.

#AmplifyRecovery: Breaking the Cycle of Judgment – You Don’t Have to Understand “Why”

This article is a heartfelt plea to those who hold such views: your judgment is not only unhelpful, but it also deepens the crisis an overwhelming majority of Americans face. It’s time to replace criticism with compassion and understanding.

#AmplifyRecovery: Debunk the Stigma – Two-Thirds of America Impacted by Substance Use Disorder

Two-thirds of Americans have been impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) in some way. This statistic alone should be enough to dispel the harmful stereotype that substance users are “bad” people. The reality is that SUD does not discriminate; regardless of race, income, geography, values, or personality type.

#AmplifyRecovery: The Power of Voices for Recovery Advocacy

This blog is a call to action from our organization, urging for more voices, not financial aid or materials. We need dialogues that address the real devastation substance use in 2024 causes families. Use the hashtag #AmplifyRecovery to share your story, support others, and stand united in the fight against stigma.

Notes From The Field: The Dangers of the Rise in Popularity of Mushroom Edibles Among Young Adults

The rise in popularity of mushroom edibles among young adults is a trend that cannot be ignored. While the allure of these products is understandable, the risks they pose to mental health, particularly the potential for psychosis, are severe.

The Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder on Children: A WakeUp Carolina Perspective

If you grew up with a parent who has an alcohol use disorder, seeking support is crucial. Therapists and mental health professionals experienced in addiction can provide invaluable help. They can guide you through understanding and addressing the lingering effects of your upbringing.

Notes from the Field: The Pink Cloud of Early Sobriety

The pink cloud phase can be incredibly uplifting. It often reignites a sense of joy and excitement about life that may have been dormant for years. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the pink cloud phase is typically temporary.

Notes from the Field: Risks of Treating Laced Substances

The intersection of MAT administration and the presence of benzodiazepines or xylazine-laced substances highlights the need for tailored, vigilant treatment approaches. By addressing this challenge, we strive to enhance the effectiveness of MAT programs and, ultimately, contribute to a safer and more supportive environment for individuals on the path to recovery.

The Duality of Long-Term Recovery: Promises and Devastations

Achieving sobriety can bring profound changes: rebuilding trust, reaching milestones once thought...

Embracing the Imperfection of Long-Term Recovery

Recovery isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress. We’re all trying, and in trying, there is hope. The core message of this article is: IT’S OKAY TO MAKE MISTAKES!