Brandy’s Story: Celebrating a mother's journey.
“This little girl gives me strength.”
— Brandy
For Brandy, it’s hard to choose a favorite activity that she shares with her daughter, Everleigh. There are just too many. “We are in a mommy and me dance class. We do story time at our local library. We love exploring different parks.”
But family life has not always been this bright. Brandy’s father died unexpectantly the day before her seventh birthday. Her mom remarried and started a new family that Brandy didn’t feel a part of. “I felt out of place in my own home. I spent a lot of time in my room.”
Brandy’s family moved her freshman year of high school. She fell in with the wrong crowd; she rebelled. Under-the-surface she was dealing with the pain of losing her dad. Brandy started using drugs which led to a long-term struggle with addiction. After the birth of her daughter Everleigh, Brandy knew she had to change. This brought her to the Cynthia Day Family Center, Harbor Care’s treatment center for pregnant and parenting women.
Brandy spent seven months at Cynthia Day Family Center accessing mental health counseling, medical care, and other supports as she lay the foundation of her recovery journey. Once she was in a stable place, Brandy and Everleigh transitioned out of the program. Meanwhile, Brandy continues to access mental health counseling and peer support, along with primary care at our Harbor Care Health & Wellness Center. Brandy also received comprehensive dental treatment at our dental clinic last year. No longer self-conscious about her teeth, Brandy shares, “it feels great to be able to smile. It gives me confidence.”
Last month, Brandy celebrated two years of sobriety. Her commitment to her daughter is what propels her forward. She got her driver’s license and purchased a car. She’s back in the workforce and focused on pursuing a career in the treatment and recovery field. “I want to help others. I feel like it gives me purpose,” she said.
Above all else, Brandy wants to be the best mother she can be for Everleigh. “This little girl gives me strength completely. I want to provide her a good stable life.”
You can help mothers, like Brandy, access recovery and the supports they need to change their lives. Please donate today.
The Cynthia Day Family Center for Women and Children
The Cynthia Day Family Center offers a unique set of services, including specialized residential and outpatient treatment programs designed to meet the recovery needs of pregnant, parenting, and post-partum women and their young children. We help women enter recovery, become self-sufficient, and care for their families.
