Alaina Renea Shaw-Smith is a proud Army and National Guard Veteran. She has passed the pride of service to both her sons, one an Army Veteran and the other still in the Army on active duty. She is also the proud mother of a daughter who is in the restaurant industry out of state. “I did my basic training at Fort Leonard and served at Fort Hood. After four years in the Army, I joined the National Guard.”
While Ms. Shaw-Smith has had her challenges in life, she prefers not to talk about them. “I want to only put positive energy out there and keep my attitude positive.”
This attitude shines through everything she does. When she talks about the past, it is with pride in her service, her children and her achievements. And when she talks about the future, it is about goals and things she enjoys. She went to college after leaving the military and completed a certification in Corrections/Criminal Justice and is hoping to go back to school. She is one of the kitchen assistants at St. Francis House and is active in the health and wellness program trough the VA. “I went to a Tea Party at the Day Treatment Center that was lots of fun. We did some yoga and had singing. I also love to draw and paint and all things artistic.” She talks about Veteran dinners and the fun she has. About finding housing and getting a job. “And St. Francis House and the Day Treatment Center have both been positive experiences and each person I have interacted with has helped!”