Special
Features / December 2007
An 'Angel' Among Us
 Brenda Graham
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There is a quiet peacefulness that surrounds Brenda Graham when you talk with her. She doesn’t have to ask what her passion is in life and she doesn’t have to read and complete the workbook about a Purpose Driven Life. She has known all her life what she is here to do.
During this time of the year, we read, discuss, and look for miracles. After anyone talks with Brenda, they know that they have found a ‘true Angel’ among us who brings miracles and love to families in need at the Union Mission.
Brenda Graham is officially the Director of Brookside Family Life Center at the Union Mission in Charleston. She has only officially been the director of this Women’s Shelter for three weeks, but has been involved with the Union Mission for approximately 14 years.
It was a “calling” for her. “My heart was heavy about ten years ago. I always knew that I was here to help people less fortunate than myself. I grew up poor, sometimes with no food, in a dysfunctional home. My father was an alcoholic. All of us ‘kids’ were split up and I lost my entire family within days,” she said.
“Because this happened to me, it is easy for me to relate to the needs of women and children going through similar circumstances. I feel I am here to give help to others.”
The shelter is for women and children who have problems with drugs, alcohol, or who have made some bad choices in their life. Some are pregnant and some are victims of domestic violence. Brenda says that the clear goal of the Brookside Center is “to teach these women and children how to never be homeless again,” and she means it. Brenda and others place these women and children into some type of educational program depending on their current level of education. Some may need to complete a GED program, some may need to learn a trade by taking classes at a local technical college and others may want to complete a degree at a college. Without Brenda and the help of many others at the Union Mission, this would not be possible. “Most of these young women would never conceive in their minds that this would ever been possible for them,” Brenda explained.
The center can arrange for detoxification and addiction counseling from professionals in the community. The center has women in their 20’s – 50’s. “It is a safe place. These women and children have had a rough life. Some have just had their emotional growth stopped for years. We have to start at the level where they are,” she continued.
One of the things that Brenda is most excited about is the chance to provide “character classes” for the women and children. “I have a lady coming to teach ‘character’. Brenda explained that some of the women had parents that did not give them common direction to function in society.” She also said they taught “Successful Living” classes that gave instruction on topics like authority, accountability, and having a purpose in live. They also provide parenting classes. The children have access to tutors and scheduled activities. They have a thrift store and they are teaching the children how to earn points for positive behavior.
Brenda has her heart set on helping these women and children. If you would like to help Brenda in her endeavor, she is in need of volunteers to watch the children while the mothers take classes. She needs volunteer tutors for the kids. She needs volunteers to plan activities and volunteers just to read to the little ones. Donations of clothes in all sizes are gladly accepted. “We have a tremendous need for female undergarments,” she said. Also needed are towels, sheets, washcloths, toys for all ages, child walkers, large blocks for small children, three wheelers for small children, riding toys, large cars and trucks, educational videos especially Dora and Barney, Little Einstein programs, toddler beds, bed frames, etc.
Brenda is also in need of a 12 passenger van and $100 per student for purchasing books, workbooks, and educational materials. Please let Brenda know if you can help her or if you have ideas on how she can get the help she needs for these women and children.
Also, Brenda would welcome families that would be willing to take a mission family into their homes for Christmas. Currently Brenda has six families.
Brenda Graham is the Director of Brookside Family Life Center located at 705 South Park Road, Charleston, WV. Telephone 304 925 9625.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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