About WakeUp Carolina

A Recovery Community Organization Serving The Greater Charleston, SC Area
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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.

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
Nanci Steadman Shipman
Founder & Executive Director
Nanci Steadman Shipman
Tim Maguire
Senior Program Director
Nanci Steadman Shipman
Sidney Allen
Young Adult Program Manager
Nanci Steadman Shipman

Elizabeth Szala
Program Coordinator

Nanci Steadman Shipman
Brenda Nikic
Family Program Manager

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
Nanci Steadman Shipman

Nanci Steadman Shipman

John Sigler
Sloan Todd

Our Team

Creighton’s Story

Get Involved

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.

Boundaries & Refusal Skills in Substance Use Recovery: What Loved Ones Should Know

We explore what individuals in recovery want their loved ones to understand about their commitment to boundaries and refusal skills and how to interpret these behaviors positively and be supportive.

Holiday Triggers: Understanding Stress, Family Dynamics, and Unresolved Issues

While holiday triggers can be formidable, they can be managed with the right strategies and support.

Holidays with a Loved One in Recovery: A Guide for Family Members

If you feel nervous or awkward around your loved one in recovery during this time, you’re not alone.

Soaring Above Temptation: Your Guide to Sobriety Strategies for Thanksgiving Eve

Thanksgiving Eve, often referred to as “Blackout Wednesday,” is known for its heavy drinking and partying. We explore a range of strategies to help you navigate this potentially tricky time with grace and resilience.

Cultivating Gratitude: The WakeUp Carolina Gratitude Challenge

We invite you to embark on a life-changing journey with us—the WakeUp Carolina Gratitude Challenge. Discover how daily reflections on gratitude can enhance your recovery and bring joy to your life.

Delta Vapes & Panic Attacks Among Teens

These devices can potentially cause panic attacks in teenagers, as they can have significant effects on mental and emotional well-being.

Embracing Mindfulness: Finding Serenity in Halloween

We recognize the unique challenges this time of year can pose for individuals navigating their paths to wellness. We invite you to explore the practice of mindfulness and discover how it can help you find serenity amidst the Halloween festivities.

How The Rise of Ketamine & Xylazine Harms Young Adults

These drugs are not only illegal when used recreationally but also carry specific risks and consequences that can negatively impact the health and well-being of individuals in this age group.

Alcohol Is OK For Adults? Widely Accepted Consumption Affects Teens

With fentanyl and other opiates dominating news headlines, we can overlook the dangers of alcohol consumption, especially when it’s widely accepted among adults.

Building Bridges of Empathy: The Impact of Substance Use Disorder Education on Peer Support

When teens are educated about the challenges of substance use disorder recovery through drug prevention programs, they become not only better informed but also more empathetic and supportive of their peers who are in recovery.

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