The ReConnect Family Story

by Leah Schuerkamp

I’m the co-founder and CEO of ReConnect Family. This platform is deeply personal to me, inspired by my own experience growing up while my parents were navigating divorce.

I was 11 when my parents first shared that they were considering separating. Like many kids, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I just knew life was changing in ways I wasn’t prepared for. The years that followed came with a lot of transition, uncertainty, and emotional ups and downs for all of us. My parents both cared deeply about my brother and me, but like many families going through divorce, communication was hard, emotions were high, and I often found myself unsure of how to process everything.

As I tried to cope, I didn’t always have the tools I needed. I struggled with the stress of bouncing between homes, adjusting to new routines, and trying to make sense of what this new version of “family” meant. At the same time, I was just starting high school—a big transition on its own—and I often felt overwhelmed trying to manage all of it at once.

There were moments when I felt isolated, not because of a lack of love, but because I didn’t know anyone going through something similar. I didn’t know how to ask for help, what support even looked like, or how to express what I was feeling. Like many teens, I sometimes withdrew or tried to escape situations that felt emotionally heavy.

Looking back now, I have so much compassion for my younger self—and for my parents, who were doing the best they could during a difficult season. Those experiences, though challenging, shaped me in meaningful ways. They made me more empathetic, emotionally aware, and motivated to help others who are going through similar transitions.

That’s why ReConnect Family exists.

My goal is to build the resource I wish I had: a supportive space that helps teens express themselves, feel understood, and navigate the emotional complexities of divorce with healthier tools and a stronger sense of connection.

If ReConnect Family can help even one teen feel less alone, then this work is worth it.