As part of its 50th Anniversary Celebration this year, Brighton center has introduced a “50 Years, 50 Stories” series to highlight some of the customers, volunteers, donors, community partners or supporters who are part of its history.
The Northern Kentucky Tribune has partnered with Brighton Center to share those firsthand accounts with our readers.
In the coming weeks, the Trib will publish these accounts, which demonstrate the breadth of services Brighton Center provides in Northern Kentucky.
Occasionally some slight edits may be made in the text and, to protect confidentiality, we might only provide the first name of the storyteller.
These testimonials, however, describe some of the programs and services Brighton Center has provided in its first 50 years, in the words of the people who have benefited from them.
“Brighton Center will help you with every aspect of your life and in turn your life will get better,” Erin
I first got involved with Brighton Center when I requested an Every Child Succeeds home visitor when I was at the health department on a WIC.
Since enrolling in Every Child Succeeds, I have utilized many Brighton Center services including the Center for Employment Training, Financial Services and I have utilized the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet while going to school.
My daughter was at Bright Days Child Development Center the whole time I attended CET. I also did an internship at Women’s Recovery Center when I was a student at CET.
After Graduation of CET I then got a job and started participated in the Individual Development Account program to begin saving. Through Brighton Center I was able to gain a debt-free education which I received certification in the Business and Computer Technology skill division of CET. I have also gotten to a better point of self-sufficiency through all the help and support of Brighton Center.
Through my experience at Brighton Center I have learned a lot about myself. I learned I can overcome things as long as I work hard. I can make my life better and my children’s lives better by getting support from Brighton Center.
I have learned that everybody could use help with their lives and it is OK to accept it. I am most impressed by all the wonderful people that are involved in Brighton Center- it truly felt like a community of support and I am forever grateful for all the help I received from all their employees and volunteers.
I feel most proud about my Brighton Center experience when I am asked to share my story with others and share how my life has gotten better through the help of all their services. Brighton Center has enriched my life by giving me an education, financial support, skills to help me be a better parent, budgeting skills, and helping me become a homeowner.
My life has changed a lot since I first came into Brighton Center services.
I am a homeowner now, I have a job, I am certified in Excel and learned Microsoft office which has improved my computer skills and I am a successful mother of two beautiful girls.
My message to others would be to please access these resources if you are struggling in any part of your life and you feel you need help because Brighton Center will help you with every aspect of your life and in turn your life will get better.
From its beginning in 1966 as a modest Newport storefront, Brighton Center has grown to provide a range of programs and services which include meeting basic needs, adult and early childhood education, workforce development, substance abuse recovery for women, affordable housing, financial education and counseling, and neighborhood based programs.
Last year Brighton Center impacted the lives of 60,892 individuals from infants to senior citizens through 37 programs in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati
For more information about Brighton Center and its programs and services, or to become a volunteer, click here http://www.brightoncenter.com/ .