Brenda Lovelady-Spahn
In 2004, Brenda Lovelady Spahn was allowed by Alabama Department of Corrections to take several hardened female convicts into her own home to teach how to live a normal life, and never return to crime and drugs – or prison. When the number grew to 40 women living in her home, the neighbors were up in arms, and Brenda was able to move the women into a former hospital building in Birmingham, Alabama, that they renovated and made into a home for the women. Now, ten years later, there are over 500 women and children in the program at any given time. Over 5,000 have graduated from The Lovelady Center program. I myself was someone without hope – a drug trafficker and addict – who did not believe there was normal joy outside of substances. Three years ago, Brenda saved my life. She showed me how to have purpose, picked me up, dusted me off, introduced me to faith, hope, and love. I now work full time at The Lovelady Center and will never return to the former life. Women are able to obtain their GED, go to college, learn a trade, receive job training and placement, are housed, fed, counseled, take life-skills classes and rehabilitation, receive medical, dental, and vision services, are reunited with their children by following court guidelines and then taught how to be a good mother, and the list goes on and on. There is an on-site daycare for the working mothers, and even a special needs class for kids who have special needs. This place changed my life and the life of many, many others. That is why I am nominating Brenda Lovelady Spahn as an absolute HERO. Thank you.
Submitted by Anonymous
