Shyliah Williams of Warsaw is a volunteer and board member at Isaiah 11 Ministry in Warsaw. She also started her own business while still working full time. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.
By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Shyliah Williams of Warsaw may seem young to some people but she already has goals and plans for her life. She is a volunteer at Isaiah 11 Ministry and works a full-time job, too.
She was born and raised in Kosciusko County. She graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2021.
“I had a plan but it fell apart,” she said. “I was going to start a bakery for dogs and humans.”
Since then Williams, 20, eventually started her own business this year, got a full-time job, and still finds time to volunteer at a nonprofit organization.
She has been a volunteer at Isaiah 11 Ministry for about four years. She also serves on the board of directors.
Williams, also known by her nickname, Shy, first learned about the organization when she started going to counseling there.
Isaiah 11 Ministry is a counseling center and animal refuge facility located in Warsaw, near Atwood. Using Biblical and clinical principles and animals, Isaiah 11 Ministry helps individuals struggling with life’s issues.
Williams helped start Celebrate Me, a support group for children of addicts, a year ago, along with other organizers.
“My mom is a recovering addict,” she said. “My stepdad is, too. There is a lack of support groups for children of addicts.”
At Isaiah 11 Ministry, she helps feed the animals and picks up food for barn group, held on Tuesdays nights. She also helps plan its events.
Linda Ozier, the founder of Isaiah 11 Ministry, said Williams is a huge help.
“I really depend on Shy, and I can trust her and let her supervise things when I am not here,” said Ozier. “She’s a very valuable asset.”
Since volunteering at the ministry, Williams said she’s become “more calm and less sad. I get lots of fresh air, and I get to relax with the animals,” she said. “It truly helps with your mental and physical health.”
She was working at another job and was anxious a lot. Being at the ministry has helped her a lot, she said. “I was stressed until I came here,” she said while sitting on the ministry’s property with a cat on her lap.
She works full time at Dunkin’ Donuts in Warsaw. She also started her own home-based business, called Fluff and Puff, two months ago.
Her future goals include making her business a full-time one and working from home growing the business and working for herself.
“I also want to volunteer more here,” she said about Isaiah 11 Ministry. “I just love animals.”
Her new business is taking off. “I make homemade marshmallows and syrup,” she said. “I make fruit-flavored syrups for coffee. They can also be used for pancakes and waffles.” She has a booth at the Warsaw Artisans and Farmers Market, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Her hobbies include playing video games and cooking.
For more information about Isaiah 11 Ministry and its upcoming events June 24 and July 22, visit its Facebook page.