Hope Blossoms 2025: Brittany's Story (Video)
Brittany, who successfully completed St. Ann's Center's Faith House program in 2019, served as the Guest Speaker at Hope Blossoms on May 14, 2025. This is Brittany's story, in her own words. [Text of Brittany's speech below video]
I would like to first thank St Ann's for this opportunity to share my story.
She was 19 with nothing to lose and a lot to learn. Forced to drop out of college and enter into motherhood. Little did she know that a man whose arms she would embrace. Would become the same hands she feared. A child was born with no map or guide. Minimal family support left her in a bind. With raised voices and a clenched fist. She braved the unknown and fought the urge to resist. The urge to settle in a love that hurt. It took years to then rebuild from the dirt. Time passed as she searched for more. To give her son what he deserved.
That girl was me.
The road ahead led to Hope at St Ann's.
I arrived at St Ann’s in October of 2017 with a 5 year old in tow. Uncertain of what would lie ahead. No plan. I just needed to breathe. Away from the noise. And the pain that knew no end. We settled in. We were met with a plan. A roadmap for how to get us from one point to the next. I felt relief. Now equipped with aide to secure not only my family but our future. Surrounded by young women who had also walked my path. I felt seen, heard and understood. For the first time I had community.
The young women. Were like my sisters. We fought, laughed, and figured it out together. The staff now like mothers, and aunties who would hold us accountable while also considering our plight. I was resistant to the structure. It felt foreign. Accustomed to the uncertainty life had often brought. No longer held by duct tape and glue. The wounds once loud now subdued. My son gained friends and a village. We shared birthday parties, meals, and triumphs. Not only sisters of our struggles but also our successes. My son was given his childhood back. No longer imprisoned by the fear of our next move. He blossomed here in the safety of their doors.
St Ann's expanded our resources through opportunities. Through access to employment, food, and therapy.Their model healed holistically. Addressing not only the issue but the person. While there, I gained not only employment but hope. Hope that there was more. Hope that we could make it. Hope that better was not only coming it was here.
It gave me strength to believe that I could rise again. Even if it had to build brick by brick. I was then able to rebuild my life. Now married to the love of my life. Blessed finally with a love that doesn’t hurt. It affirms and secures. We’ve come to share not only a last name. We both share the title of ordained minister. Licensed to serve people through faith together.
My son has become our son. Now 13, he’s aware of where we’ve been and where we are going. His future now bright with limitless possibilities in sight. I now own a business. To build our income and our legacy. To show future generations that greatness can be born after the struggle. That no matter how hard you fall that you can get back up.
St Ann's gave us our breath back. No longer do we have to hold it.Waiting for the wind to be knocked out of us again. St Ann's breathed back into us all I thought I had lost. It helped a hopeless girl become an optimistic woman. Within my future, lies pursuing expansion and retail placement for my business. Pursuing my purpose through outreach and ministry. While maintaining a loving home for our family. I’m proud to support St Ann's now and in their future endeavors as they have supported me
St. Ann's Center Thanks Our Event Sponsors for Making Hope Blossoms Possible!
BENEFACTOR
Kathy and Ed Quinn, Jr.
Cory and Joe Rogers, Jr.
LEGACY
Kammie and Scott Bell
A Friend of St. Ann's Center
Genevieve L. Murphy
The Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Charitable Trust | Fight for Children
ADVOCATE
Archdiocese of Washington
C. Maury Devine
Kimberly and John Manthei
BELIEVERS
Mary Lou Goehrung, Signs by Tomorrow - Rockville
Thomas and Julia Heidenberger
Jan and John Magnolia
Genevieve L. Murphy
Mary Noël and Bill Page
Judy and John Ritz
Rothwell Family Foundation
Albert and Linda Rosecan Charitable Foundation
SUPPORTERS
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Borger
Thomas and Julia Heidenberger
Pam and Dennis Lucey
Colleen Mahoney
Mary and Matt McCormick
Jane and Mark Polivka
Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore Selvaggio
Lisa and Chris Smith
The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Inc.
Colleen and John Williams
ALLIES
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Aertker, III
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Carolyn and Kevin Boyle
Compass Advocacy
Barbara and Joseph Edmondson
Heritage Investors Management Corporation
Robert H. Lacey, III
R. Scott and Courtney Clark Pastrick
FRIENDS
Jane and Kevin Belford in honor of Vince Burke
Boland Services
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Conley
Kathy and David Cornwell
Colleen and Monty Crown
John L. Czajka and Margaret L. McCarthy
C. Maury Devine
Susan and Christopher Flaherty
Founders Bank
Beth and David Fromm
Karen and Pat Gilroy
Barbara J. Jones
Jules and Kerry LeBoyer
John H. LeSeur
Bette Lewis
Mrs. Judy Marie Lewis
Church of the Little Flower
In Memory of Frances Silk - Long and Foster Real Estate
Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Madden
Peggy McKelly
Cara McVie
Anne Moore and Vincent Allen
Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Newton, II
Diane Oakley, DM
OME Solar, LLC – Matt Gardiner, John Gardiner, Tom Roginski
Barbara Sweeney and John O'Neill
Our Lady of Mercy Church
Potomac Community Resources, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Jorge V. Ribas
Monica Skarulis, M.D.
Judi Teske
The Concordia Group, LLC
Washington Aloysius Charities, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Welsh