Our story
Isaiah was my firstborn, my one and only son. He was my first best friend, the love of my life, and my reason for always striving to be a better human. He loved skateboarding, playing basketball, graffiti art, and spending time with his friends. Isaiah was a social butterfly and everyone who met him loved him. When Isaiah was 15 years old, all of the things he once loved and his positive character began to slowly fade away. Addiction had its grip on him. In his struggles and our search for help we met with mental health professionals, school resource officers, administrators, law enforcement officers, and judges. There would be progress and then the heartbreaking decline. As he spiraled into addiction, his mental health also suffered. For three long years, finding help was my mission, but I hit one brick wall after another. Due to there being flat out no programs available for minors, my son couldn't get the treatment he needed and deserved.
Tragically on October 29, 2022, I received a call. The voice on the phone told me to hurry. My heart dropped. I feared this day would come, yet I held onto hope that it wouldn't. Walking in the room, I faced my worst fear. I lost him. Addiction had robbed him of his life, our life. At the age of 18, his breath was extinguished; my son's life was over. The night prior, he thought he was purchasing cocaine, but in fact it was a mix of fentanyl and xylazine, no trace of cocaine to be found. I held his body for as long as the paramedics and police would allow me. I made a decision that night that Isaiah's death would not be in vain. I vowed to fight for change because his life mattered, just as all of the lives of every child and victim we have lost due to drug overdose and fentanyl poisoning matter. Hope Above Fear was born from this encounter with loss, the loss of my son, Isaiah Shepard.
Our Mission
Our mission at Hope Above Fear is to promote awareness about the dangers of substance use, to extend assistance to adolescents struggling with substance abuse, and to provide support for their families.
We inspire and equip teens in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to pursue substance-free living. With a focus on positivity, optimism, and resilience, we guide teens to choose a narrative of strength and self-discovery.
OUR VISION
Hope Above Fear envisions a community where every teen is empowered to embrace a substance-free life, filled with purpose and promise.
We aim to eliminate adolescent death from overdose and Fentanyl poisoning through education, support, and guidance. We aspire to educate the youth of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties about the harsh realities of drug experimentation, to steer youth away from potential harm, and to ensure a brighter, healthier future for all.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Hope Above Fear is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for teens and their families struggling with substance use. Our organization is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, respect, and equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of race, sex, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status or any other protected characteristic.
Sunday's Child Grant Winners
We’re excited to share the full grant details for our project "Empower." With this $20,000 grant, we will create a powerful video highlighting the impact of the drug epidemic on Pensacola Bay area teenagers, featuring real stories from affected students and families. By December 2025, we aim to reach all Escambia County middle and high school students and their families, promoting crucial information on substance abuse and healthy coping mechanisms.
Our Partners
