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 some of those firsthand accounts with our readers.
In the coming weeks, the Trib will publish individual stories that 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.
“It is a struggle; but, it is getting better,” Regina
I first became involved with the Brighton Center because I was in a pageant and I needed to do volunteer hours. I came to Brighton Center where I worked in the food pantry and filed information.
I entered Every Child Succeeds for the first time when I became pregnant with my firstborn son when I was fourteen. When I was fifteen, I had my son and Mary Frankinholf became my home visitor.
Mary was accepting and good with children. If you had any questions you could call her always. “She had my back and 17 years later she still does.”
I now have eight children; with my three months old twins in the program. It is harder with them; because, I have a 15 month old and the twins were born prematurely.
It is a struggle; but, it is getting better.
I was so happy that the twins could join. When I had my first child seventeen years ago the program was just for first time mothers. Also, you can now have more than one child in the program. I really trust this program and have sent my niece to it and my sister-in-law is now on the waiting list something.
The main changes to the program since I first utilized it are that it is now for all mothers. What has changed the most is that now there are more resources. There still are outings and parties and they are a big help.
With Mary’s help I have been able to overcome the obstacle of the twins being born prematurely.
Mary brings me new information about premature babies. She also conducts test to make sure the twins are developing correctly despite being born prematurely. Mary can sit down and give a better explanation of what is occurring than a doctor could.
The input that she provides is also invaluable. Mary is more than just a worker for the Brighton Center.
What makes me most proud of being involved with Brighton Center is if the kids need one-on-one attention; they can get that with the weekly visits. These visits make sure they are on track and a lot of attention is given to them.
The Brighton Center most impresses me at Christmas time; because, they open their doors for a lot of things, more than other places would. Mary has also been instrumental in getting me a brand new Pack and Play for the twins when I am working. It allows me to focus knowing that they are safe and happy.
If I could send one message to those who do not know about what the Brighton Center it would be that this is not just for the child it is also for the mother. I have been given information and taken test for concerns like post-maturity depression that have allowed me to learn about myself and know, although I am a mother I can still relax.
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/