Brenda’s House of Hope

10/18/2026

Today, I watched my Aimee get married, and my heart is so full. 💜🥹

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully explain what today meant to me.

When Brenda’s House of Hope first opened, Aimee walked through our doors as a resident looking for a chance to rebuild her life. Neither of us knew then what our relationship would one day become or how much she would come to mean to me.

Today, she is my Executive Assistant, my right hand, my sounding board, one of my closest people, a homeowner, and now a WIFE.

I got to watch her walk into this new chapter of her life.

There is something incredibly special about remembering where someone started and getting to witness where they are today. I remember the woman who came through our doors looking for a fresh start, and today I watched a woman who has worked hard to build a life she can be proud of marry the man she loves.

Somewhere along the way, she went from being someone I was responsible for helping to someone I lean on, trust, laugh with, and share the weight of this mission with. She became family. My sister.

As I watched her today, I couldn’t help but think about my mama, Brenda. I wish she could see the lives that have grown from the seeds planted in her memory. Something born out of so much heartbreak has brought people into my life who have changed me forever. Aimee is one of those people.

Aimee, I hope you know how proud I am of you. Not just for buying your home or becoming a wife, but for the beautiful woman you have become. I am so grateful that Brenda’s House of Hope was part of your story, and even more grateful that you became such a big part of mine.

You walked through our doors as a resident, but you became family. Today, I didn’t just celebrate a wedding. I celebrated YOU, your growth, your love story, and the beautiful life you have built.

From resident to my right hand, from rebuilding your life to buying your own home, and now becoming a wife. What a privilege it has been to watch your story unfold.

I love you, Aimee. My heart is so happy for you both, and I pray this next chapter brings you more love, laughter, peace, and happiness than you could have ever imagined.

Today, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. You couldn’t have been a more beautiful bride! 👰😍

10/17/2026

10/14/2026

I look around my table today at the women sitting around it, and I think about how any one of them could be anywhere else in this world. Their stories could have ended so differently. Mine could have, too.

Yet, somehow, our roads led us here. 🥹

I’m so grateful that my hard road, the loss, the heartache, and all the things I never would have chosen led me to these women.

That’s the beautiful thing about recovery. People can come from the darkest places, carry the heaviest stories, and still find their way to something beautiful. They can become people they never imagined they could be and build lives they once thought were out of reach.

Sometimes the very things that break our hearts lead us to the people who change our lives.

When I look around my table, I don’t just see women in recovery. I see beauty, love, laughter, another chance, healing, courage, and so much possibility.

I can’t help but think about how grateful I am that our paths crossed. What a beautiful thing it is that recovery brought us all here. 💜🫶🏻💜

10/12/2026

🎤 KARAOKE FOR A CAUSE! 🌮🎶

Join us for a night of karaoke, a delicious taco bar, and a whole lot of fun as we raise money for Brenda’s Jubilee!

We have all the labor covered, but we still have materials to purchase to bring Jubilee to life.

🌮 Taco Bar Included
🎤 Karaoke & Fun
🎟️ Tables of 6 for just $100!

Bring your friends, your family, and your playlist, and help us build Jubilee! 💜🏡💜

10/12/2026

It’s hard to believe we only have two months left in 2026. Where has this year gone?

As we get closer to the end of another year, I can’t help but think about how many people are telling themselves they’ll make a change next year. They’ll get help in January. They’ll get sober after the holidays. They’ll start putting their lives back together when the timing is better.

But what if we stopped looking at the calendar as a reason to wait?

There are still two months left in this year. Two months to ask for help. Two months to make a different decision. Two months to take a step toward a life you may have thought was out of reach.

If you’re not ready yet, I hope you know that you don’t have to have everything figured out to take that first step.

Don’t spend the next two months waiting for January to give you permission to change your life. You can start today. 💜

10/10/2026

Happy One Year to our sweet Kelly! 🥳

We love this girl so much! 🥰 Kelly has the kind of light that makes people feel seen, loved, and welcomed.

She has a way of making everyone around her feel special, and we are so grateful for the joy and love she brings into our home.

You spend so much time making everyone else feel loved, and today we hope you feel just how deeply loved and celebrated you are.

You deserve every bit of the happiness, peace, and beautiful blessings that are ahead of you. We love you so much and we are so proud of you!!! 💜🫶🏻💜

10/09/2026

We want to take a moment to clarify a few things about Brenda’s House of Hope, as there are sometimes misconceptions about who we are and what our program offers.

We are not a rehab or treatment center. We are a recovery house for women who have completed treatment and are ready to continue building a life in recovery within a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

Our program is abstinence-based and follows the 12-step model of recovery. Residents are required to attend five recovery meetings each week, actively participate in their recovery, maintain accountability, and work toward long-term independence.

Regarding medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the only medication we currently permit within our program is Vivitrol.

We are also sometimes described as a faith-based organization. While I am personally a woman of faith, that is my own belief. Brenda’s House of Hope is not a faith-based program, and residents are never required to share my personal beliefs.

Our residents must also be able to work. Because of our limited staffing and the structure of our program, employment is a requirement. This expectation is based on our current program capacity and operational limitations.

We recognize that recovery looks different for different people, and there are many approaches to getting well. We respect that. However, every recovery program has its own structure, guidelines, and expectations. Being clear about ours helps women and their families determine whether Brenda’s House of Hope is the right fit for them.

Our mission is to provide women with the structure, accountability, peer support, and opportunities they need to build a sustainable life in recovery.

We believe in accountability. We believe in structure. We believe in community. And above all, we believe that recovery is possible.

We are proud of the work we do, the women we serve, and the lives being rebuilt through Brenda’s House of Hope.
The flower because it was Brenda’s favorite. 💜🫶🏻💜

10/07/2026

Yesterday, I passed through Eureka, California, and stopped at a McDonald’s to use the restroom. The door was locked, so an employee had to let me in.

When I walked inside, there was a woman bathing in the sink. She had very few belongings with her. She was a ginger, and the first thing that came to my mind was to tell her that she had beautiful hair.

She smiled and thanked me. Then she looked at me and said, “I like your hair too.”

It was such a simple exchange, but for some reason, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.

I watched her walk out behind me, and I kept thinking, I should have done more.

I should have stayed. I should have talked to her. I should have asked if she needed something.

But the truth is, I don’t know what brought her to that place and I don’t need to know.

I don’t need to know what choices she made, what mistakes she’s made, what she’s lost, what she’s struggling with, or what her story looks like.

She was a woman standing in front of me who deserved to be treated like a human being.

Maybe that is one of the biggest things I’ve learned through Brenda’s and the loss of my mom.

Before someone is an addict, a homeless person, a woman in recovery, a person who has relapsed, a person who has made terrible choices, or someone who has lost everything…

They are a person.

We can’t always change someone’s circumstances in the moment.

Sometimes all we can do is offer a little kindness.

Yesterday, I told a stranger she had pretty hair.

Today, I’m realizing that maybe that small moment meant more to me than I knew at the time.

Because I saw her.

I hope, for just a moment, she felt seen too.

Because for years, I watched my own mom become reduced to her circumstances. People saw the addiction. They saw the mistakes. They saw the struggle.

But I saw my mom.

It also made me realize that somewhere along the way, we started looking at people through the lens of their circumstances instead of seeing the person underneath them.

Maybe that is the greatest piece of her that I carry with me… the refusal to look away. 💜🥹💜

10/04/2026

Taking a little time away to slow down, recharge, and enjoy some much-needed time with my family. 🥰

If you need anything, please reach out to my amazing assistant, Aimee Sue. She’ll be happy to help while I’m away!

Thank you all for understanding, and much love to you all! 💜🫶🏻💜