Rebecca Black

Rebecca was born to a very young and unprepared mother who showed her neither affection nor interest. This lack of maternal ability set the stage for Rebecca’s truly horrific childhood. Life presented her with a multitude of challenges in her young years, so many that others may not have even survived, that shaped her into a very independent women. She truly did not believe that she could count on or trust anyone. This built a strength and will beyond most. 

While Rebecca was born in Michigan, she grew up in Tucson. After running away from home, and from the system, she had two boys. Shortly thereafter, she became a single mother.

She worked as many hours as she could while putting herself through college to better her life and the lives of her boys. 

She earned a bachelor's in Criminal Justice, and secured a job with the State of Arizona. 

It was not long after this that her life changed. She underwent a series of terrible and yet all the more amazing life altering experiences that created a new woman inside of her. She nearly died due to female health issues, lost everything including her career, and then she is proud to say she gained even more by embracing her challenges, stepping up to the plate and finding hope in something new! Namely, volunteering at the zoo, working with the elephants. This would forever change her life, and her outlook. Which is why, she says, she had to write a book.

These days Rebecca spends her time outlining a second book on her childhood, traveling when she can with her husband, and speaking out in public platforms about things she considers important - sexual violence, mental health, women’s health and poaching.

Rebecca recently obtained the career of her dreams, working with a nonprofit called Survivor Shield Foundation. She was the idealist that helped to build the Pathways Program within the foundation, of which she is program director. This program provides completely anonymous, comment free, no cost peer support groups for survivors.

It provides weekly peer support, an education in resources a survivor may need, and emergency kits to homeless survivors on the spot.

Her most recent contribution as program director of Pathways with Survivor Shield Foundation, was her vision of MyPath, as part of the pathways program. MyPath is a rehabilitation program for incarcerated female survivors of sexual violence. This program helps women build strengths within themselves, learn to trust in other women for support and community, identify emotions and and learn coping strategies to make better choices as opposed to reactive behaviors, codependency, and substances. This program will help transition incarcerated survivors upon release into the pathways program where they will continue their work with Rebecca Black weekly.

The MyPath program, much like the Pathways Program is the first of its kind in Pima County. It's a 12 week curriculum created by, and guided by Rebecca Black. Rebecca has been honored and excited to bring her ideas to the Survivor Shield Foundation and spearhead their execution!

She often remarks that she no longer take things for granted, and that she is now truly happy. Her goals have changed, much like her life. She wants to give back as much as she can, and help people who need the support.

With the extensive array of experiences she has been through, she understands now that she was given a gift, disguised as suffering, to help those who are scared, unsure and in pain, both one on one, in groups, and through her stories.

Photo credit - David Racugglia