After living through 13 years of domestic violence, Brenda Jackson left her former husband in 1985 and moved to Texas for a fresh start.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But she found herself in another abusive marriage. Eventually, the North Richland Hills resident got out of her situation and built a new life.<\/p>\n
What helped her accomplish that? A newfound purpose.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jackson is the founder of I Can Still Shine<\/a>, a faith-based nonprofit for women and children trapped in domestic violence situations and looking for support. The Richland Hills-based center was created 15 years ago. Before 2011, Jackson ran another organization providing resources to battered women.<\/p>\n Her work earned her recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series highlighting unsung heroes in Tarrant County.<\/p>\n \u201cWe actually give hope,\u201d she said. \u201cThat’s why we’re different. I mean, 16,200 clients later, and not one life lost.\u201d<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s work began in 1995 when a woman in a domestic violence situation sought her help. Jackson was able to get her food and direct her towards counseling.<\/p>\n Through these initial efforts, she began helping others, using her firsthand experiences to connect others to resources, housing and clothing.<\/p>\n Jackson told herself she would only do the work of\u00a0 helping abused women and their children for a year. But after that, she decided to keep going \u2014 but only for one more year.<\/p>\n Thirty-one years later, Jackson is still providing that support through I Can Still Shine. Her organization is not a shelter, and she stressed that she isn\u2019t a counselor.<\/p>\n That said, the organization has become a consistent connector between desperate women\u00a0 and needed resources.<\/p>\n \u201cHer focus just seems to always be on other people. She’s not looking out for herself. She’s always trying to see, \u2018How can I help somebody else.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Frank Hurtig, nominator<\/p>\n Since I Can Still Shine began, the nonprofit has:<\/p>\n Provided scholarship assistance to\u00a0 95 moms and teens to go to college. The most important support provided is walking with women as they navigate their journeys, Jackson said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey feel so alone,\u201d Jackson added. \u201cWe try to tell them, \u2018You’re not alone. You’re going to make it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Frank Hurtig has seen this support. The retiree and volunteer began giving his time to I Can Still Shine around 2011 when the organization first began.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat I see in I Can Still Shine is an organization that, to me, is a more comprehensive approach to helping women and their kids get out of bad situations,\u201d Hurtig said.<\/p>\n The Keller native said the nonprofit first appeared on his radar when he moved to Fort Worth. Hurtig and his wife are now consistent donors to the organization.<\/p>\n He\u2019s gotten to know Jackson well over the last 10 years, he said, and found her to be\u00a0<\/p>\n consistently appreciative and caring of everyone around her.<\/p>\n \u201cHer focus just seems to always be on other people,\u201d Hurtig said. \u201cShe’s not looking out for herself. She’s always trying to see, \u2018How can I help somebody else.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n And Jackson doesn\u2019t plan on stopping anytime soon.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are too many people that need help, and too many people yet to come in,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nProvided over 40 cars to those in need.
\nAssisted approximately 150 families each year with rent, electric bills and car insurance.
\nOffered access to offsite counseling.
\nFed over 300 women and children each month through the organization\u2019s food bank.
\nDistributed more than 5,000 pieces of clothing each year.<\/p>\n