ANGELS WALK FOUNDATION INC

(AWF Nonprofit)

INSPIRATION

Angels Walk Foundation was born from personal experiences witnessing the profound impact that compassionate individuals can have during life's most difficult moments. Inspired by the everyday "angels" who offer support, encouragement, and hope to others, the Foundation was created to honor those acts of kindness and provide meaningful opportunities for healing, connection, recovery, and personal growth.

MISSION

Angels Walk Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating recovery, grief, and life's transitions through programs that foster healing, wellness, resilience, education, peer support, and community connection.

VISION

Our vision is to create a compassionate and supportive community where individuals facing life's challenges feel seen, valued, and empowered. Through retreats, wellness initiatives, peer connections, educational opportunities, and community partnerships, we strive to provide safe spaces that inspire healing, hope, personal growth, and lasting transformation.

WHO WE SERVE

Angels Walk Foundation serves individuals and families seeking support, healing, connection, and renewed hope, including:

• Individuals navigating recovery and life transitions

• Young widows and widowers who experienced the loss of a spouse during their 30s or younger

• Individuals experiencing grief, loss, and significant life changes

• Families impacted by loss, adversity, or other challenging circumstances

• Individuals seeking wellness, personal growth, and emotional well-being

• Underserved individuals who may benefit from supportive community-based programs and resources

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Recovery Program

Providing peer support, mentorship, education, wellness experiences, community connection, and healing opportunities for individuals navigating recovery, personal growth, and life's challenges. Participants have access to workshops, retreats, mentor matching, optional weekly mentorship, and a supportive community designed to foster resilience, accountability, and long-term wellness.

Extremely Young Widowed Program

Supporting widows and widowers who experienced the loss of a spouse during their 30s or younger through peer support, mentorship, retreats, workshops, resources, and community connection. Through mentor matching and optional weekly mentorship, participants receive encouragement, understanding, and meaningful support while navigating grief, healing, and life after loss.

Wellness & Healing Initiatives

Offering wellness-focused experiences that support emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being through weekly yoga sessions, sound healing meditation, mindfulness practices, guided reflection, healing circles, workshops, retreats, and community wellness events. These programs are designed to promote self-care, resilience, stress reduction, personal growth, and overall well-being while fostering connection, healing, and a sense of belonging.

FUTURE PROGRAMS

Affordable Community Marketplace

A future initiative designed to provide affordable household goods, clothing, and essential resources while creating volunteer and employment opportunities for residents in Pasco and Pinellas Counties.

Supportive Shared Housing

Planned housing solutions for individuals facing barriers to stable housing and seeking a safe pathway toward greater independence and long-term stability.

Life Skills & Financial Literacy Program

Workshops and mentoring opportunities focused on budgeting, financial literacy, employment readiness, communication skills, personal development, and long-term self-sufficiency.

AWF RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

Mending Souls & Igniting Hope

At Angels Walk Foundation, our annual retreats and day workshops provide opportunities for healing, connection, and personal growth for individuals navigating recovery, grief, and life's most difficult transitions. Our Recovery and Extremely Young Widowed programs create supportive environments where participants can step away from daily challenges and focus on renewal, wellness, and meaningful connection.

Through guided workshops, wellness experiences, peer support, mentoring opportunities, and community engagement, participants gain practical tools, encouragement, and a renewed sense of hope. These experiences are designed to foster resilience, promote emotional well-being, strengthen supportive relationships, and remind individuals that they are not alone on their journey.

Every participant who joins us takes an important step toward healing, growth, and renewed purpose. Your support helps make these life-changing programs possible and allows us to continue expanding opportunities for connection, wellness, and hope within our community.

Click below for more retreat info:

👉 CLICK HERE 2026 Weekend Retreat Info & Registration 🕊️

👉CLICK HERE For DAY Workshop Info🕊️

MEET THE TEAM

(FOR BIOS, CLICK THE ARROW AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH PICTURE)

Kimberly Pay, Executive Director

Kimberly is the Founder and Executive Director of Angels Walk Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating recovery, grief, wellness, and life's most challenging transitions. Her commitment to serving others spans more than three decades across youth advocacy, behavioral health, community supervision, crisis response, nonprofit leadership, federal law enforcement, and public service.

Kimberly's career in human services began in 1993 as a Youth Advocate, where she spent nearly a decade supporting at-risk youth and families through mentorship, advocacy, and resource coordination. Working directly with individuals facing social, emotional, behavioral, and life challenges, she developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of support, guidance, and community connection.

While serving as a Youth Advocate, Kimberly also worked as a Court Psychological Assistant from 1999 to 2002, supporting court-involved individuals and families navigating complex behavioral health and personal challenges. These experiences provided valuable insight into trauma, mental health, family dynamics, crisis intervention, and the barriers many individuals face when seeking stability and healing.

From 2002 to 2007, Kimberly served as a Probation Officer, helping individuals navigate the criminal justice system while promoting accountability, rehabilitation, and positive life change. During her tenure, she also served as a specialized probation officer within a county court's mental health and recovery-focused program, working closely with individuals facing complex behavioral health and recovery-related challenges. Collaborating with treatment providers, court personnel, and community partners, she helped participants access resources, achieve stability, and work toward long-term success.

Kimberly later served as a Senior Federal Law Enforcement Agent with the United States Department of Homeland Security, where she led complex investigations, coordinated multi-agency operations, and managed high-performing teams in support of public safety and national security. Throughout her distinguished federal career, she held a Top Secret security clearance and earned a reputation for leadership, strategic planning, collaboration, and service.

In addition to her operational responsibilities, Kimberly served as a Critical Incident Response Peer Support Specialist, providing confidential support and assistance to employees affected by traumatic incidents, critical events, and personal challenges. This role strengthened her commitment to helping individuals build resilience, navigate adversity, and access meaningful support during difficult times.

Kimberly's nonprofit leadership experience began long before founding Angels Walk Foundation. She served as Sergeant-at-Arms and later Vice President of the National Capital Region Chapter of the Asian American Law Enforcement Association (AALEA), a regional chapter of the nationwide National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA). Through these leadership roles, she supported organizational governance, community outreach initiatives, professional development programs, member engagement, and strategic planning efforts. Her experience within both AALEA and NAPOA provided valuable insight into nonprofit leadership, board governance, volunteer engagement, and community service.

Kimberly holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Corrections, and a Master of Public Administration. Her educational background, combined with decades of leadership and direct service experience, provides a strong foundation for guiding the Foundation's mission, strategic growth, community partnerships, program development, and long-term sustainability.

Inspired by a lifelong belief that healing happens through compassion, connection, and community, Kimberly founded Angels Walk Foundation to create meaningful opportunities for individuals and families seeking hope, support, and renewal. Under her leadership, the Foundation has developed programs focused on recovery, grief support, wellness, healing, peer connection, and personal growth through retreats, educational initiatives, and community partnerships.

Kimberly's vision for Angels Walk Foundation is to build a compassionate community where individuals facing life's challenges feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to move forward with hope. Through servant leadership and an unwavering dedication to helping others, she continues to create pathways toward healing, resilience, and renewed purpose for those the Foundation serves.

Jamie Mandia, Director of Recovery Program

Jamie serves as the Recovery Program Director for Angels Walk Foundation, bringing more than a decade of experience in recovery support, peer services, behavioral health, and program leadership. Since entering the recovery field in 2015, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate life's challenges while fostering healing, resilience, personal growth, and long-term wellness.

In addition to her role with Angels Walk Foundation, Jamie currently serves in a leadership capacity with Clean Recovery Center in New Port Richey, Florida, where she oversees recovery-focused services and supports individuals working toward stability, wellness, and positive life change. Her extensive experience in participant support, staff leadership, program development, and community engagement provides valuable insight into the needs of individuals navigating recovery and major life transitions.

Throughout her career, Jamie has been committed to creating supportive environments that empower individuals to build healthy, sustainable lives. Her work focuses on connecting participants with resources, encouraging personal growth, strengthening resilience, and helping individuals develop the tools needed to move forward successfully.

Jamie is a graduate of the Recovery Coach Academy through the Packard Institute and earned her Recovery Coach certification in 2019. In February 2026, she became certified as a Motivational Interventionist, further strengthening her ability to support individuals in achieving positive behavioral change and reaching their personal goals. She also brings valuable experience from her work with CAR Recovery, where she further developed her expertise in recovery coaching, participant advocacy, and peer support services.

As Recovery Program Director for Angels Walk Foundation, Jamie leads initiatives that provide education, peer support, wellness opportunities, community connection, and healing-centered experiences. She works closely with participants, volunteers, community partners, and Foundation leadership to ensure programs remain compassionate, impactful, and responsive to the evolving needs of those they serve.

Known for her servant leadership, dedication, and person-centered approach, Jamie combines professional expertise with a genuine passion for helping others. Her commitment to recovery, wellness, and community support helps advance the mission of Angels Walk Foundation while providing hope, encouragement, and meaningful opportunities for healing and personal growth.

Angel Monroe, Director of Widow/er Program

Angel serves as the Director of the Widow Program for Angels Walk Foundation, where she leads initiatives designed to support young widows and widowers through connection, community, healing, and peer support. Her leadership is informed by both her lived experience and her professional background in technology, operations, and community building.

At the age of 29, Angel experienced the sudden loss of her first husband in a tragic automobile accident in December 2020, leaving her to navigate grief while raising two young daughters. During her own healing journey, she discovered a significant lack of resources and community specifically designed for younger widowed individuals and parents.

Determined to create the support she wished had existed, Angel founded the Extremely Young & Widowed community in 2021. What began as a small online support group has grown into a thriving community of more than 10,000 members, providing connection, encouragement, resources, and hope to young widows and widowers across the country. Through her leadership, the community has become a safe and compassionate space where individuals can share their experiences, find understanding, and build meaningful relationships with others facing similar challenges.

Angel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science Engineering from The Ohio State University and works professionally as a Software Developer Engineer. She also serves as an Operations Lead, where she provides leadership, strategic oversight, project coordination, process improvement, and team support within a fast-paced technology environment. Her experience leading operational initiatives and collaborating across teams has strengthened her skills in communication, organization, problem-solving, and program development.

As Director of the Widow Program, Angel oversees the development and growth of programs serving widows and widowers who experienced the loss of a spouse during their 30s or younger. She helps lead retreat planning, peer support initiatives, resource development, community engagement, and outreach efforts that foster healing, connection, resilience, and hope.

Through her leadership, compassion, and dedication, Angel continues to transform personal loss into purpose. Her commitment to serving others helps create supportive environments where individuals feel seen, understood, and empowered to move forward while honoring their loved ones and their unique journey.

Shanyn Eckstein - Recovery Program Coordinator

Shanyn is a United States Navy veteran whose passion for helping others has guided her career in behavioral health, recovery support, and nursing. Since 2020, she has worked as a Behavioral Health Technician with Clean Recovery Centers, where she has played an important role in supporting individuals navigating mental health challenges, substance use recovery, and personal transformation.

Drawing upon both her professional training and compassionate approach, Shanyn has experience implementing treatment plans, providing individualized support, maintaining clinical documentation, and helping create safe, supportive environments where individuals can focus on healing and growth. As a recovery mentor, she has worked closely with individuals throughout their recovery journey, offering encouragement, accountability, and practical guidance while fostering hope and resilience.

A graduate of Keiser University, Shanyn earned her nursing degree in August 2025, further expanding her ability to serve individuals and families through evidence-based care and holistic support. Her unique combination of military service, behavioral health experience, recovery advocacy, and nursing education provides a strong foundation for helping others overcome challenges and improve their overall well-being.

As a member of the Angels Walk Foundation team, Shanyn brings compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families as they navigate recovery, grief, healing, and life's transitions. Through her service, she helps further the Foundation's mission of providing hope, connection, and meaningful support to those in need.

Alycia Holt Melchor - Widow/er Program Coordinator & Grant Writer

Alycia brings five years of specialized fundraising expertise, beginning in 2020, and her personal experience as a widow to her roles as Widow/er Program Coordinator and Volunteer Grant Writer for Angels Walk Foundation Inc. With a strong foundation in donor relations, fundraising strategy, and event management, she has driven impactful initiatives at Good Reason Houston (2023–2024) as an Advancement Associate and at Incarnate Word Academy (2020–2023) as Database Coordinator. Her professional skills, combined with her empathy as a widow, enable her to lead programs that empower young widows and widowers with unparalleled compassion.

Alycia excels at crafting persuasive grant proposals and orchestrating fundraising campaigns, leveraging her strategic insight and meticulous organizational skills to secure critical resources. Her experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and cross-functional teams ensures flawless execution of programs and events, such as the foundation’s annual Widows Retreat, delivering meaningful community impact. Since 2020, Alycia has mastered donor database systems and communication platforms, strengthening her ability to foster lasting donor relationships and advance program goals.

Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from the University of Houston (2020), Alycia’s professional expertise and personal journey as a widow make her an invaluable asset to Angels Walk Foundation Inc. Her ability to blend strategic fundraising with heartfelt, relatable program coordination drives transformative support for young widows and widowers.

Alashawan Healing with Asia Rodriquez

Asia is the founder of Alashawan Healing Inc. and a valued member of the Angels Walk Foundation team. She is a wellness practitioner dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with themselves through movement, mindfulness, and sound healing.

Her journey began in 2019 when she accompanied her mother on a recovery journey and attended a local sound bath experience together. That experience sparked a passion for healing and service that would ultimately shape her life's work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asia discovered yoga as a powerful tool for emotional wellness, self-reflection, and personal growth. Inspired by its impact, she earned her Yoga Teacher Certification through House of Light Yoga in Spring Hill.

Seeking to deepen her understanding of movement and physical wellness, Asia also obtained her Certified Personal Trainer credential through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Today, she combines yoga, sound healing, and strength-based wellness practices to support individuals navigating grief, recovery, life transitions, and personal challenges.

As part of the Angels Walk Foundation team, Asia facilitates yoga sessions, sound healing experiences, and wellness programming designed to promote resilience, self-awareness, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. Through her compassionate approach, she helps create safe and supportive environments where participants can experience healing, renewal, and personal growth.

The name Alashawan Healing was inspired by Asia's mother, whose strength, resilience, and recovery journey continue to influence and inspire her work. Through both Alashawan Healing and Angels Walk Foundation, Asia remains committed to bringing hope, healing, and a sense of peace to those she serves.

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