Brandy & Kris: A Journey of Redemption
From Horry and Brunswick counties, their upbringing differed vastly. Kris came from a troubled youth, raised with family conflict and abuse, while Brandy came from what she would call a stable home, with a solid family. After previous failed relationships, Brandy and Kris sought more. When their paths crossed at age 38, they found themselves involved in a romantic relationship expecting their first child. Brandy, a dedicated nurse, and Kris, a skilled chef, envisioned crafting a bright future together as a loving family.
After their son was born, their life was more challenging than they had envisioned; they had disapproving parents, conflict from past relationships, financial difficulties, and a substance use disorder. They were struggling, and Brandy made decisions that she thought would help her family, not considering the negative impact these decisions would have. She was charged with theft, embezzlement, and drug charges. Just before starting her required participation in Drug Court, Brandy’s father passed away, which was a crushing blow to Brandy. During the following two years, Brandy attended Drug Court classes 4 days a week, worked, and paid her fines, all while COVID was impacting the world. Then, to make matters worse, her mother died.
Brandy had lost two of the most important people to her within two years, and she just gave up. To compound this, Kris suffered a heart attack. Brandy felt she couldn’t do it any more. Burdened by the weight of her decisions, Brandy and Kris decided to run. Brandy was pregnant again, so they escaped to Montana where they hoped to rebuild their shattered lives.
Yet, fate had other plans in store. When Brandy and Kris’ second child was only 3 months old, Brandy's past caught up with her, destroying the fragile semblance of peace they had found. Brandy was arrested on charges of embezzlement and sent back to South Carolina to serve her prison sentence.
While Brandy was imprisoned, Kris, on the other hand, struggled with his own burdens. Kris had suffered another heart attack and was singularly raising his 2 children while trying to maintain steady work and keep the family afloat. He stayed with his brother for a little while, but quickly realized that his family was not supportive. Kris and the children were soon asked to leave. Not knowing what to do, Kris found himself and his children teetering on the brink of homelessness, until they sought refuge at New Directions.
Through the compassionate assistance of New Directions, the family was granted respite in the family shelter, accompanied by a suite of supportive services tailored to foster stability and self-reliance. The family credits New Directions of Horry County with connecting them with resources such as WIC, SNAP, a daycare voucher, and assistance with school enrollment through the McKinney Vento Act, and assistance with finding employment, and housing.
According to Brandy, one of the most beneficial things for her was the fact that when she was coming up for parole, all of the services and structure that New Directions offered, including drug tests, curfews, structure, and support, were the reason she was released, and able to join her family at New Directions Family Shelter.
After staying at the family shelter for just under a year for Kris and the kids, and Brandy, two months, they have moved into their own apartment, and are both working full time. The whole family is thriving. Brandy and Kris stand poised to embrace a new chapter, steadfast in their belief that together they can conquer any obstacle on their journey of redemption.