About MARCUS
Youth Discovery Group
MARCUS Youth Discovery Group empowers young adults, families, and reentry participants to discover their strengths, build life and leadership skills, and prepare for successful futures.
Meet Shane Falwell
My name is Shane Falwell, and my story is one of loss, accountability, transformation, and purpose. I have dedicated my life to helping people believe that no past is too broken for a future to be rebuilt.
As Founder and Executive Director of M.A.R.C.U.S. Youth Discovery Group and House Manager at The Cumberland House, I walk alongside people navigating reentry and young people searching for direction. My work is rooted in mentorship, structure, compassion, and the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to rise.
I also helped bring Tomorrow’s Neighbors from a thought to reality, turning vision into action for the community.
My Story
My advocacy is deeply personal.
While I was incarcerated, I lost my son, and that pain forever changed the direction of my life. I could have let grief define me, but instead I chose to turn pain into purpose. I made a commitment to help others heal, grow, and create lasting change.
I believe in accountability.
I believe in second chances.
I believe people can rise from their darkest moments and become a light for someone else.
Today, I serve as a consultant, mentor, and community leader dedicated to reentry, career development, youth prevention, and community transformation.
My story is not just about where I have been. It is proof that transformation is possible when support, opportunity, faith, and belief come together.
I bring this message from lived experience, including more than 22 years served in state and federal prison.
Leadership, Certifications & Community Impact
I am committed to serving my community through leadership, mentorship, education, and advocacy.
Certifications:
- Certified Life Coach
- Certified Peer Support Specialist
- Certified Forensic Support Specialist
- Career Development Coach
Leadership Roles:
- Founder & Executive Director, M.A.R.C.U.S. Youth Discovery Group
- House Manager, The Cumberland House
- Co-Chair, Cumberland County Reentry Coalition
- Co-Chair, Cumberland County Reentry Housing Coalition
- Executive Board Member, Partnership for Better Health
- President, Penn State Rising Scholars Alumni Association
These roles are more than titles to me—they are platforms for hope, healing, and opportunity. Every position allows me to help individuals rebuild their lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways for lasting change.
Who We Are
We are a community of mentors, advocates, educators, and supporters helping young adults, families, and people rebuilding their lives after justice-system involvement take practical steps toward purpose, opportunity, stability, and achievement.
Our Strength-Based Model
Our Motto
Mentorship
Growth
Wellness
Community
Our Mission
Our Vision
Long-Term Impact
Through partnerships with schools, workforce programs, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, reentry service providers, and community stakeholders, MARCUS Youth Discovery Group seeks to build pathways to education, employment, entrepreneurship, leadership, wellness, family stability, and lifelong success.