CaringWays® Spotlight: Stephanie Horgan, Operations Specialist
Addiction Recovery Fundraising
Medical Fundraising
Cancer Fundraising
A passion for helping others is something Stephanie Horgan has prioritized throughout her personal and professional life. Prior to joining the CaringWays® team, Stephanie spent a lot of time in the classroom, first obtaining her undergraduate degree in psychology, and then a master’s in education. Initially, she worked as a teacher for children with special needs. Stephanie is also a board-certified behavior analyst. This specific skill set is definitely helpful in her current position at CaringWays®, as she works to streamline processes and maximize the efficiency and success of medical fundraising campaigns.
“I’ve always wanted to help people and be an advocate for the underserved. Making a difference in people’s lives and helping them through tough times is part of the mission at CaringWays®, so it was really a no-brainer for me to join the incredible team and help carry out that mission.”
The mission of CaringWays® was formed by its President and CEO Kristi Morrow, who is also Stephanie’s mom. The pair have always been close, and Stephanie says she knew they’d end up working together one day. Stephanie and her mom have been through a lot together, including the loss of Kristi’s husband in 2015 to cancer.
Unfortunately, hard times often bring you closer together. So when I came home, I felt like we would do anything we could to spend more time together.
My stepdad was my father figure, but I hadn’t always recognized that. We hadn’t always been super close. Unfortunately, hard times often bring you closer together. So when I came home, I felt like we would do anything we could to spend more time together.
Stephanie and her stepfather were able to share many memories together, including several trips to see football and baseball games in person.
We did a sports trip sometime during his treatment together, and we saw the Packers. We were in Chicago and we saw a baseball game there. We ended up traveling across five or six different states to do all these fun things. My stepbrother was also there, so we were able to build that relationship as well.
Stephanie’s stepdad was eventually placed in hospice care at home, a difficult time for her family. Yet even in this difficulty, there were moments of joy. Stephanie remembers being by her mom’s side, spending time cooking together for her stepfather and the many people who came to visit him. Often, there would be a group of 15 or 20 people laughing and sharing stories.
Everybody’s experience with losing someone they love is different.
“Everybody’s experience with losing someone they love is different. As painful as our experience was, my mom and I were able to be there to support each other, and that’s not something that everyone gets to do.”
Following her stepdad’s passing, Stephanie and her husband, Brenden, eventually moved to Tennessee to be close to family. They bought 35 acres in Wilson County where they’ve already acquired chickens and are planning on eventually adding a few sheep and cows into the mix. But before they do, there’s one more arrival that will add another member to their family: Stephanie and her husband are expecting their first child together in March of 2023.
Stephanie’s experience with grief has helped her prioritize and find meaning in her work and her family life.
Each one of us at CaringWays® just wants to help others and figure out how we can best meet people’s needs.
“I love my life with my husband on our farm and I really love working with my mom. She’s the whole reason we moved back to Tennessee. Watching her create CaringWays® and becoming a part of the team myself has been so special. Each one of us at CaringWays® just wants to help others and figure out how we can best meet people’s needs.”
Whether it’s cooking for 15 in the kitchen, helping launch a fundraising campaign, or welcoming a new member to her family, Stephanie finds ways to help others in every area of her life. For that, CaringWays® is thankful.
