Nicole Roberts is glowing in our interview. It’s hard to look past her shine to see what she’s been through, bouts with addiction and homelessness have plagued her past, but that is only a part of her story. Many of us don’t know what it is like to be homeless and sometimes we take the peace that comes with having a home for granted. So instead of returning home to relax after a tough day, the focus for the homeless is finding the safest place to stay. This is how Nicole lived her life before finding her way to Brookside.

She has been faithfully connected to Brookside for about a year in several ways. Initially utilizing transport, provided by Brookside, from Wheeler Mission to Brookside Church for service on Sunday. On Mondays, she attends Reentry Bridge Service. And Thursdays, she participates in 180 Life Recovery. When asked about what she thinks of the 12-week program, she says that the coursework “…really digs deep.” In other words, she’s having success in addressing her addiction through this engaging program and credits Melanie Heck Weidman, Intervention and Recovery Coordinator, as being instrumental to her progress.

Nicole has had a busy and productive year since coming to Brookside. Her life is becoming more constructive as she accepts guidance taking steps to live a better life. Now, as a participant in Reentry’s Isaiah House for women, she’s in a better place. When asked what it feels like to be there, she begins with the word, ”Excellent,” and continues, “Security…a blanket, a comfort that I have a roof over my head…It's better than living in tents and not knowing where my next meal is coming from.” She speaks about Brookside, “People come there broken and they restore. I live in a community. And even got my own key.” And then she ties the sentiment to the 180 program highlighting Brookside’s approach to addiction, “They don’t judge. It doesn’t have to be all about addiction, it could be about codependency or shoplifting. Recovery is a wide-open base about everything.”

When asked why Brookside is different, Nicole says, “Because you can be sitting next to a homeless person and a scholar at the same time. It is because of the diversity. Diversity is huge here. It’s come as you are.” Because of this feeling, she finds the motivation to push through her challenges and has begun to develop something she’s had all along. She says, “Keep going, fall down seven times, and stand up eight.” 

When someone who has struggled with homelessness attains affordable, safe, and stable housing, their life can become less distracting allowing them to shift their focus to other key areas of their lives. But this is difficult done alone, one needs guidance to navigate through trouble. Some hindrances are self-inflicted, while others are built into the circumstances. So, this work requires perseverance because problems will arise. The difference is in healthy relationships that help generate momentum. It’s about finding the strength to continue, it’s about perseverance.

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