The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E Project
Exposure Creates Opportunity
Mission Statement
The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project exists to ensure children and young adults with foster care or kinship care experience have access to opportunities that expand their vision for the future.
Founded by former foster youth Marshelle Jordon Barrett, we believe that exposure creates opportunity.
Through mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, community partnerships, and transformative experiences, we help young people discover new possibilities, build confidence, and create pathways toward successful, independent futures.
Who We Serve
Foster Youth (Ages 10–18) - We create opportunities for children and youth currently in foster care, youth with lived foster care experience, and youth in kinship care to explore careers, skills, relationships, and experiences they may not otherwise have access to.
Emerging Leaders (Ages 16–24) - We believe young adults with lived foster care experience belong at the leadership table through leadership, mentorship, advocacy, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Our Pathways
Equine & Agriculture
Automotive & Skilled Trades
Culinary Arts
Arts & Creative Expression
Entrepreneurship & Business
Leadership & Mentorship
Each pathway is designed to expose foster youth to opportunities, careers, mentors, and experiences that expand what they believe is possible.
UPCOMING EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project hosts experiences, leadership opportunities, career exploration events, community service projects, workshops, and special events throughout the year.
Please check our website regularly for the latest event announcements, volunteer opportunities, partnership updates, and registration information.
Planned experiences include monthly career pathway events, leadership development, equine experiences, entrepreneurship workshops, arts programming, skilled trades exploration, community service projects, and our annual signature events.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
In June 2026, The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project hosted its inaugural gala, bringing together community leaders, educators, advocates, service providers, volunteers, and supporters committed to creating opportunities for foster youth.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
We believe lasting impact happens through collaboration. We are actively building relationships with educators, foster care advocates, nonprofit organizations, mentors, businesses, and community leaders throughout Washington State.
LONG-TERM VISION
The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project is building toward a future where every foster youth has access to a community of opportunities. Our long-term vision includes a residential community model providing mentorship, workforce development, leadership, life skills, career exploration, and lasting support. We believe youth should never age out alone—they should age into community.
Contact us to let us know if you would like to volunteer directly with this project. All gifts are tax deductible.
Founder Story
Meet The Founder
“My name is Marshelle Jordon Barrett, and I founded The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project because I know what it feels like to grow up wondering if life could ever be different.
After experiencing foster care as a teenager, I saw firsthand how many young people are forced to focus on surviving instead of dreaming. Too often, children in foster care are never exposed to the careers, mentors, businesses, leadership opportunities, and life experiences that help them discover who they can become.
As I grew older, I began sharing my story across Washington State through public speaking, youth advocacy, and community partnerships. Those experiences taught me something I will never forget:
Marshelle Jordon Barrett
Exposure Creates Opportunity
Marshelle Jordon Barrett & Nakiah Barrett
When young people are introduced to new environments, positive role models, meaningful careers, and experiences they never imagined possible, they begin to see themselves differently. They gain confidence, discover purpose, and realize their future is bigger than their circumstances.
Horses played an important role in my own journey by giving me peace during a difficult time in my life. That experience inspired me, but the vision became much bigger than horses alone.
Today, The M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Project creates opportunities through mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, community partnerships, and transformative experiences that help foster youth discover what’s possible.
This organization isn’t about where a child has been.
It’s about helping them discover where they can go.
Because every young person deserves the opportunity to dream, to lead, and to build a future filled with possibility.”
What M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. Means
The name M.A.R.S.H.E.L.L.E. represents the values that guide our mission and reflects the journey that inspired this organization.
M — My Story
Every journey begins with a story. My experiences became the foundation for creating opportunities for others.
A — Amiri & Animals
Inspired by the healing, connection, and unconditional support that animals can provide.
R — Resilient Rose
A reminder that growth, strength, and beauty can emerge even through life’s greatest challenges.
S — Strength From Struggle
Our past does not define us. Every challenge can become a source of resilience and purpose.
H — Healing Heart
Creating spaces where young people feel seen, valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.
E — Empowered Expression
Helping youth discover their voice, build confidence, and believe in their potential.
L — Little Marshelle
Honoring the child who inspired this mission and every child still searching for hope and opportunity.
L — Legacy of Love
Building a future rooted in compassion, service, leadership, and lasting community impact.
E — Edith Frelix
Named in honor of my grandmother, whose love and strength continue to inspire this work every day.
