Meet Sherrie Costello

This story is part of Council of Community Services’ WyoGives Interview Series, sharing conversations with the people who know the Council’s work best.

For Sherrie Costello, Emergency Assistance and Section 8 Housing Intake, the Council is a safety net for neighbors facing urgent needs, housing challenges, and difficult seasons.

Sherrie has been with the Council for 14 and a half years. During that time, she has worked in many roles. Today, she helps clients secure vouchers for medical or dental emergencies, navigate Section 8 housing paperwork, and complete housing inspections. She also helps with the Food Pantry, Christmas Baskets, and holiday sign-ups.

“In my 14 ½ years with the Council of Community Services, I have worked many positions. Today, I work directly with clients to secure vouchers for medical or dental emergencies, guide them through the complex Section 8 housing paperwork process, and complete vital housing inspections. I also love staying connected to our roots by helping out with the Food Pantry, especially when it comes time for Christmas Baskets and holiday sign-ups.”

For Sherrie, helping others has always felt personal.

“Growing up in poverty myself, I have a deep, personal compassion for those who are struggling. I knew I wanted a career where I could truly help people, so when I originally saw the job opening for a Receptionist/Pantry Assistant, I jumped at it. Once I started, I learned just how much the Council does for our neighbors. Simply put, helping others makes me feel good.”

One of the most meaningful experiences of her career began with a man who walked into her office with almost nothing left.

“One of the most meaningful experiences of my career started when a man walked into my office completely hopeless. He had been homeless and hitchhiking for years, struggling with severe drug addiction, and literally surviving by eating food out of garbage cans. He had absolutely nothing.”

With Sherrie’s guidance and a great deal of work on his part, he was able to get onto Social Security. Today, his life looks very different.

“Today, he is living in an apartment that he absolutely loves, completely drug-free, and truly thriving. He is so incredibly grateful to have turned his life around and seeing him succeed is something I will never forget.”

Stories like that stay with Sherrie, but so do the hard ones. The emotional weight of the work does not always end when the workday does.

“Sometimes, listening to people’s intense struggles and tough times is incredibly hard to let go of once I leave work for the day. It can be sad and depressing, and I often go home wishing I could do so much more to help.”

It has made her more aware of how quickly life can change.

“Because of this, I do not take anything for granted. Hearing these stories every day is a constant reminder that a person’s entire world can change overnight, and everything can be lost in the blink of an eye.”

For Sherrie, this work is about offering hope when people need it most. Sometimes that help is practical. Sometimes it is emotional. Sometimes it starts with simply listening.

“Even the hardest-working people fall into tough times. Being able to step in and give hope and support to anyone in need is why I show up every day. Sometimes, providing help just means listening with genuine compassion. That alone can give someone hope again and spark a real change in their life.”

When asked why someone should support the Council, Sherrie pointed to the wide range of services available to the community.

“We provide a massive, wide-ranging safety net to folks in our community who are in desperate need. But the truth is, you never know who will need help next—it could easily be you. Your support today could be the safety net you or a loved one needs tomorrow.”

She sees that safety net across nearly every corner of the Council’s work.

“Because of the Council our community receives much needed services such as a warm cooked meal, a food pantry to help with monthly groceries, a warm place to lay your head with support for getting back on your feet, making homes energy efficient to help with utility costs, clothing and household items, rental & utility payments, gas, tooth extraction, glasses, prescriptions, housing or chronically homeless individuals who struggle with mental illness, supportive housing for families involving DFS. Receive a nice meal at Christmas, signs up for holiday help for kids, a place to find referrals and so much more!”

This WyoGives, Council of Community Services is raising $55,000 to support homelessness and housing programs, including the shelter, case management, and staff who help neighbors in crisis.

Your gift helps keep this safety net in place for the people who need it today, and for the people who may need it tomorrow.

Support Council of Community Services this WyoGives and help keep local support available in Campbell County. Learn more here.