Success Stories

Maryam

Maryam grew up in Iran in a family that recognized the value of education, always pushing her to succeed. When Maryam was accepted to medical school at the age of 18, her father was ecstatic. He died a year later, changing Maryam’s life forever.

La’Kesha Denkins

Thank you to everyone at Brighton Center for never giving up on me. Those moments where I believed my case was impossible, the employees of Brighton Center found a way to make it possible. Today, I can proudly say I am a homeowner!

Sophia Depenbrock

It would be an understatement to describe the Scholar House as a great place. It is so much more than that. I can honestly say that without it, I would not be where I am today.

Linda Burton

CET is the first strategic move Linda ever made for herself, by herself.

After growing up in Bakersfield, California, Linda joined the military in 2005 where she served as combat medic in San Antonio at the Brooke Army Medical Center. After three years, Linda received a medical discharge from the Army because of a fractured hip, tibia and ankle. 

Felicia - Determination To Never Give Up

December, 2015

Ms. Lee-Ann,

I first want to apologize. I am so very sorry for wasting so much of your time in the past. I know I haven’t always been the best student and I haven’t always given it my all, but I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that I did always have the best of intentions.

Sometimes even the best of intentions can’t keep pace with the challenges and craziness of life; and by all accounts beautiful, tenacious Felicia Johnson has had her fair share of both.

Christy & James - Succeeding As New Parents With a Little Help

Cristy and James first heard about  Every Child Succeeds (ECS) at the doctors office when Cristy found out that she was pregnant. Cristy was aware of Brighton Center but was not familiar with ECS. When she was contacted by ECS staff, she decided to give the program a try.

Alice - An Inspiration to Youth in Foster Care

For the first time in my life, I have a direction and a sense of purpose. I feel capable of reaching my goals and I have a support system to ensure that I do. I’ve made connections here at Homeward Bound that will last a lifetime. My life wasn’t always like this though. 

Sara

Sometimes it’s the support of family that gets you over your humps. For CET graduate Sara Holaday, that turned out to be true. As Sara tells it, “I love CET like my second family. The staff and trainees helped me get through tough times mentally and physically, motivated, me and helped me realize my skills and strengths.” 

Heidi

Heidi has been involved with Brighton Center for over half of her life, as both a customer, and later an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer.

However, this story will begin in August of 2016, when the foundation of Heidi’s house crumbled during a severe thunderstorm.  The very next morning Code Enforcement came to the house, and ordered it to be condemned.

Kayla - A Long Road to Recovery

The Big Book states that only the hopeless know what it’s like to truly exist without hope and that was me to a tee. I am beyond grateful today to be able to have hope no matter what and to see all of these things that I swore never would happen to a junkie like me come true in my life and that is only due to the fact that I got out of the way of my own life and allowed something greater than me to mold me into something beautiful.