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 memory I will never forget,” Devra
I first became involved with Brighton Center, when I moved into Homeward Bound.
I was most impressed with the care and love the staff had for all the kids. Brighton Center turned my life around for the better and still to this day they support my choices and are there for me.
Brighton has made a huge impact and it can be seen through all the men and women they have helped. They gave me an opportunity to be successful through money management, repairing and re- establishing credit.
The staff also helped me get my first apartment. I remember when I lived in Homeward Bound and I went to my first prom; they went above and beyond to make sure that it was special for me.
It is a memory I will never forget.
The staff never gives up; they continue trying and finding ways to help. They continue improving their programs and reaching out to as many people as possible. I love the passion they have for their job. It truly is an amazing group of people who strive to make the community better.
If you can help in any way I would always recommend giving to the Brighton Center.
“Five years and 600 hours later, I continue to volunteer,” Mary
I was born in Newport and have lived in the Ohio River region my entire life.
I first came to Brighton Center in 2011, a couple of months after a friend of mine started volunteering. I was very interested in what Brighton Center did and came down to volunteer my time.
After talking to the staff, I agreed to volunteer Fridays from 1:30pm-5:00pm. Five years and 600 hours later, I continue to volunteer.
The Brighton Center aspect I am most impressed with is how the staff has treated me as part of the team. Brighton Center is my favorite place to volunteer, because there is such a great need.
I feel that if I have time to spend, I want to work for my community to help those who need it. One of my favorite programs is The Newport Community Gardens. I love how it gives community members access to fresh vegetables and I also admire how the local grocery stores are so giving.
My message to the community is to call and ask how you can help.
Mary cares enough to give her time to other local organizations like St. Elizabeth, Hosea House, and St. John’s Parish. Staff says “Mary is consistent and extremely reliable. She has a wonderful personality and a very big heart! She is extremely kind to our customers.”
Thank you Mary for your years of service.
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/