Since 2011, I Can Still Shine founder Brenda Jackson has been working with her board of directors to assist women and children who have been affected by domestic violence and drug abuse. Before COVID-19, Brenda says her organization was able to help an average of 100 people per month.
“God has been very good to us,” Brenda says.
But since March, I Can Still Shine has received a flurry of requests, now helping around 400 people per month, from mothers looking for ways to keep their families fed to women seeking counseling during stressful times.
“Our food bank requests have tripled in the last three months. So many more people are hungry and need financial aid and counseling than ever before,” Brenda says. “People drive up to 40 miles just to get food.”
While I Can Still Shine has adapted to the times, it have also had to postpone or cancel several annual events that normally help them serve the community.
“A lot of our events for the year have been canceled,” Brenda says. “That attributed for at least 20% of our budget. I feel overwhelmed. We give these women everything we have. Many of our clients are grateful, but some don’t think they are going to make it right now. Our job is to show them they will make it.”
Now I Can Still Shine’s greatest needs include non-perishable food, gas cards and financial assistance. But the organization is open to other donations that it can then give to their clients. First Baptist Colleyville Sunday School recently donated 100 pillows, which Brenda was able to turn around and give to women in need. I Can Still Shine also received a large anonymous laundry detergent donation it was able to provide for those who reached out.
“Southlake and the surrounding areas are amazing donors,” Brenda says. “There is not a day that goes by that someone does not call us and say, ‘How can I help?’ That has never happened like this before.”
For more information about how to donate or ways to get involved, visit I Can Still Shine’s website.