shannon's Story

My name is Shannon, and I found Brookside Community Development through a reentry program at the Justice Center. I had been in and out of incarceration, stuck in a cycle I couldn’t break. Eventually, I reached a point where I was tired—tired of going back and forth—and ready for something different, especially for my children.

When I came to Brookside, I entered the women’s house and was able to bring my son with me. For the first time, we had a safe, stable, and sober place to call home.

But Brookside is more than housing—it’s a community. A place that meets you where you are and walks with you every step of the way. Over the past year, they’ve walked alongside me through everything, and my life has completely changed. I got my driver’s license. I got a car. I gained access to resources I never had before.

More than anything, I gained belief—in myself and in what’s possible.

Because of Brookside, I didn’t just avoid going backward—I finally started moving forward. Today, I’m focused on something bigger than myself. I want my children to see a different life, beyond the cycles I knew. And for the first time, I truly believe that life is within reach.

More Stories