Our community of supporters make success stories possible. One remarkable neighbor who exemplifies personal resilience and the transformative impact of our community is Brenda!
As a teen in DuPage County, Brenda experienced a life-altering event: she suffered from two Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). While doing her best to recover at such a young age, she fell into a cycle of homelessness and substance use. Life became an uphill battle after this.
“It was a constant struggle each day, doing the things I needed to do,” said Brenda. “The depression that came from not having a safe place to stay made it very easy to want to use drugs.”
The turning point came when Brenda was connected with DuPagePads, which provided the stability and resources she needed to embark on a transformative journey, including resources to help her focus on sobriety. While staying at the Interim Housing Center (IHC) and with support from her case managers, Brenda began to rebuild her life. In 2024, she successfully found a stable home of her own once again, thanks to the DuPagePads Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program.
“The moment I walked into my apartment, it almost felt too good to be true,” said Brenda. “I couldn’t hold back both tears and overwhelming smiling. I felt so safe and encouraged.”
This summer Brenda and her husband celebrated two years of sobriety with their friends and family. As they finish their second year in the apartment, Brenda is in school full-time and looks forward to obtaining her Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor certification.
PSH provides safety, independence, and connections to much-needed resources for our most vulnerable neighbors. By supporting DuPagePads, you are creating opportunities for neighbors to transform their lives and find home again. Stories like Brenda’s remind us of the impact we can have when we come together as a community with a shared belief: everyone deserves a place to call home.
“Being homeless and on the street is so very scary and consumes almost all of your thoughts,” added Brenda. “My thoughts since being in my apartment have been focusing on bettering myself, all made possible by the PSH program. Thank you.”