Tammy continued to work in early childhood education until 2008. Eventually, she found a job as a live-in caregiver with Family Connections, an agency that had two homes supporting youth in foster care.
“It was difficult at first, but again I felt like this was what I was built for. I had a lot of things to offer as a caregiver,” said Tammy. “Everyone expects these kids to show up to school and perform, but when they’re getting bounced around from place to place, they don’t have the brain space to do those things. Knowing that really grew the desire in me to help in the healing process so that they can dedicate themselves to improving their lives.”
In the spring of 2022, Tammy came to a crossroads in both her career and life when the agency closed down. Many of the tenants didn’t know where to go and were facing homelessness. Tammy decided to take things into her own hands: she created the BrenRose House.
“BrenRose is a home for young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness,” she explained. “Young people can only truly heal when they feel safe. We provide single rooms with built-in supports and opportunities to build the life skills they’ll need to head out on their own.” They have several house cats and even have a flock of chickens headed by a Jersey Giant Rooster named Baby Shark.
Tammy leaned on friends and connected with people who shared her same passion to bring BrenRose to life, and—in less than a year—she raised $14,000 to start the nonprofit. “We accomplished so much just from word of mouth and social media. All of that support really gave me the fuel to keep going.”
“At the time, I was dealing with depression and PTSD. The closing of the agency was a traumatic event for myself and the kids because we had considered everyone there our family.” One of the resources that helped Tammy through this time was SPSCC’s Counseling Services.
“[Counselor] Sally Sharbaugh was instrumental through this journey. I was struggling to focus on class material and retain it,” said Tammy. “Since then, I’ve been seeing a counselor regularly, I’m on the right medication, and I’m fully able to enjoy my college experience.”
Tammy added, “I must’ve filled out the FAFSA two or three times before I actually enrolled. I was stuck in this mindset that, because I’m in my early fifties, I should be embarrassed that I didn’t have a formal education. But it wasn’t like that at all. There’s so much warmth and acceptance here.”
After graduating from SPSCC, Tammy plans on continuing her education. She also has many more fundraising efforts on the horizon.
