About the Founders
:: Our Values :: Company Information
Michelle Shaw, Cofounder - President
We live in a fast paced, fast food society of one-hour photos, drive thru dry cleaning, instant messaging, and mail order diplomas. We want things fast and convenient always hoping that we’ll free up more time for what really matters – the people - our families, 
friends, and communities. We strive for a better life thinking that working hard now will mean having the time to spend later. When my mom died I started to worry that there wouldn’t be time. She had given so completely of herself but she was waiting for a time when she could do more. After receiving a masters degree and landing my dream job, I realize that life is only moving faster. Life’s current is so strong it threatens to carry us into the future without experiencing the present. I can clearly hear my mom's voice cheering me forward; “Now’s the time!”
Everyone in the world shares the same dreams for opportunity and happiness. Brad and I are lucky to have a life blessed with both, so now’s the time to help others achieve the same. We have been volunteering our time to help people in our own hometown but we wanted to do more. There are communities all over the world made of people who share the same dreams but don’t have the same opportunities that we have had. They are proud and happy people that believe in family and work hard to provide for their basic needs. They too want time to laugh and sing, time to strengthen their relationships and encourage their spirits. That’s how Shaw Treatment came to be. By providing funding for charities aiding Africa we hope to ease some of the concerns for clean water, adequate housing and improved healthcare so the people of these communities can continue to fulfill their dreams of a better life.
- Michelle Shaw, Co-Founder -
Brad Arsenault, Cofounder - Vice President
The year was 1984, and I was 10 years old in grade 5. My teacher was a tall black man – tall by a child’s standards - by the name of Mr. Tobin. The students weren't familiar with what a curriculum was and we really didn't care. Mr. Tobin was about to expand the minds of 27 children – or so was his intention. The curriculum be damned. This was my first exposure to world history and current world events.
He stood before the recently washed and sprawling blackboard. A room of 10 and 11 year olds sat in silence as he picked up a small piece of chalk from the dusty ledge and forcefully scribed the words, “APART – HATE” in large print across one board. The room of white children sat in silence waiting for their teacher to explain. He turned and stood before the board, the words he scribed stood next to him as though describing in part who he was and where he came from. He asked the class in his familiar accent, “Do you know what this means?” He read the words aloud, emphasizing every letter,
“A P A R T - H A T E.”
I vaguely remember several discussions and lessons about South Africa that year. Mr. Tobin opened our eyes to the importance of world politics. I heard his message, but it wasn’t until recently that I really and fully understood it. A number of factors have played into my and my wife’s decision to do something. It has been over 10 years since Apartheid was abolished in South Africa and it now exists as a footnote in history.
Now South Africa and neighboring countries face a variety of new and old threats alike including, the spread of HIV/AIDS, cholera, famine, drought, malaria, tuberculosis, and most recently diabetes an epidemic also being experienced in North America. Let’s not forget Kenya or the plague of disasters that have struck the Darfur region of Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa is a continent in need but it is also a continent filled with great people, and thus great hope. The political stage is set and governments have finally taken notice. But there is still a long way to go. So we thought that perhaps we could lend a helping hand.
The forming of Shaw Treatment has led Michelle and I on a different path as we explore one of the newest and least used business models. Social enterprise is growing and more and more for-profit companies are recognizing that they can do more for their communities and the people in those communities by giving back. Paul Newman and Newman's Own, have set the standard, Oprah Winfrfey has set the challenge for us, and Mr. Tobin has provided a large part of the inspiration.
Shaw Treatment is how we plan to make the world a better place!
- Brad Arsenault, Co-Founder -
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