Sister Brenda Gonzales serves on the board of Bethany Haven in Bardstown, Kentucky, where she works alongside community members to address homelessness in Nelson County. Bethany Haven’s mission is to lead the civic community in providing safe emergency shelter and a path to independent living for men, women, and children while honoring the dignity of every person served.
As a board member, Sister Brenda volunteers regularly and invites others to serve with her. Sisters, Associates, Nazareth employees, and friends from the area help prepare and serve meals to individuals and families who are without housing in Bardstown and Nelson County.
Bethany Haven includes several programs that respond to different needs. Christy’s Place provides shelter for women and children. Harbor House serves men. Street Outreach connects with people living outdoors. Room in the Inn offers overnight shelter and support for those who are unhoused.
One of the board’s key responsibilities is educating the public about homelessness and how the local community can respond. Nelson County does not have a day shelter, so many people without housing spend their days at the public library or walking the streets. Bethany Haven works to meet immediate needs while also helping people connect with health care, food, and both temporary and permanent housing.
Sister Brenda’s concern for people in need began early in life. As a child, she watched her parents prepare food boxes and deliver them to families in their neighborhood. Those experiences shaped her understanding of poverty close to home. That concern continued through college and grew stronger when she became a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, opening doors to serve people in need in the United States and abroad.
In recent years, the Bardstown community has seen changes. More people are collaborating with Bethany Haven, and relationships have helped correct long held assumptions. Many believed people without housing came from outside the county. In reality, 96 percent of program participants are from Nelson County. Some community members were surprised to learn that those served included relatives, classmates, and longtime neighbors. Last year, 73 percent of participants moved into stable housing.
Sister Brenda finds hope in these outcomes and in the people she meets. Two men she came to know through Room in the Inn, Lee and James, were once homeless and are now working at Bethany Haven. Their journeys reflect what is possible when people are supported and respected.
Through her service, Sister Brenda continues to walk with people on the margins, building relationships and standing with them as sisters and brothers in the community.