Bridgeport was born and bred, Shamare G. Holmes is known for her passion and dedication to the youth and families of Park City. She is often commended for her consciousness of community issues and the ability to evoke emotion and action. Shamare is the Program Director of Her Time, the sister organization to Hang Time, founded by Charles Grady in 2014. Hang Time focuses on the effects of mass incarceration and assists men during the process of re-entry. Her time mirrors the mission; however, it is exclusive to women and children. Her time received the Bridgeport Re-Entry’s Community Partner Award in 2017 and 2019. Shamare was awarded Professional of the Year in 2017 and 2018. In addition to Her Time, Shamare is the Director of Girls Reality Empowerment Circle (GREC). This gender-specific group educates girls on issues vital to their growth and success in society. GREC was birthed from Community Hands in Action Mentoring Program (CHAMP), founded by Reuel Parks. GREC meets every first Saturday of the month at CFJ and is open to girls ages 9 to 15. Shamare’s most fulfilling undertaking is serving as a Justice Advisor through the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance, where she helps amplify the voice of youth and their families so juvenile justice is served.
In November 2018, Shamare completed Tow Youth Justice Institute’s Transforming Youth Justice Leadership Development Program. Once she started the program, she was a regional program coordinator, and now she is a youth mentor. Shamare is in pursuit of her master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Municipal Management. She is projected to graduate in December 2020. As of November 2019, Shamare has been assigned to Geraldine Johnson School, teaching 8th grade Social Studies. She hopes to use this time in the classroom not only to inform the youth but also to learn from them.