Wendy Brooks is a Community Health Worker – Violence Prevention Professional, dedicated to helping people break free from cycles of instability and hardship. One of those people is Marc.
Wendy first met Marc as a teenager when their families lived in the same housing community. Now 31, Marc has faced more than his share of struggles. The death of a close friend knocked him off track, and past mistakes made it difficult to find stability. When he and Wendy reconnected professionally, he had no home, no job, no driver’s license, and no car. But what he did have was a willingness to try.
The journey started with housing. Marc had been couch-surfing in unsafe situations or staying with a family member, lacking privacy and decent sleep. Wendy helped him apply for housing in Asheville, a process delayed by Tropical Storm Helene. While waiting, he put in 15 job applications, landed two part-time jobs, and started saving money.
To reinstate his driver’s license, Marc had to clear old fines, obtain a new Social Security card and birth certificate, and secure non-owners insurance. Wendy introduced him to United Way of Rutherford County, which helped cover the fees. With his license restored, he worked on budgeting and saving for a car. These small but crucial steps became bricks in the foundation of his new life.
Employment was another hurdle. Marc had been charged as an adult for a crime at 16 years old and spent 18 months in a detention center. Though he had stayed out of legal trouble since, his record had long been a barrier. Fortunately, the charge finally stopped appearing in background checks, making it easier for him to find work. He moved from two low-wage jobs to a full-time, living-wage position. Wendy also assisted him in signing up for Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Now, he is in the final stages of getting housing in Asheville and continues to work with Wendy to confront and overcome past traumas associated with growing up in public housing.
Beyond practical achievements, Marc has grown emotionally. He has learned coping skills to manage his grief and anger. Wendy helped him understand that setbacks don’t mean that he is starting over – they’re opportunities to learn and keep moving forward. One of Marc’s proudest accomplishments is restoring his relationship with his daughter. As his stability improved, his child’s mother allowed him more time with her – a milestone he sees as his biggest success. He also rekindled his relationship with his brother after years of estrangement.
Wendy never simply did things for Marc but showed him how to navigate systems, fill out applications, and budget for the future. “It’s not about judgment,” she says. “It’s about understanding how someone got where they are so they can work their way out.” Having lost her own son to gun violence, Wendy is deeply committed to helping others avoid the same fate or grief. She believes that with the right support, anyone can break free from cycles of poverty and crime.
Today, Marc is proud of the life he’s building. He stays in touch with Wendy to celebrate his victories, and also if he needs a little extra support through a challenge. “This is your hard work,” Wendy tells him. “You picked yourself up and made it happen.”
For Wendy, seeing people like Marc reclaim their lives is the most rewarding part of her work. “It’s beautiful,” she says. “When someone is ready to lay down a new foundation, I have their trust, the resources, and the skills they can use to rebuild – brick by brick.”