Brenda Alder worked as a real Estate Agent in Chicago and its Western Suburbs for eleven years and enjoyed helping home buyers find the house of their dreams and make good decisions for their families. However, in 2006 Brenda felt overwhelmed and found herself in a situation of homelessness. Brenda needed housing and a way to making income again. At this point a non-profit agency named Thresholds provided her supportive services and transitional housing. Within three months, Brenda was able to move into Permanent Supportive Housing operated by Threshholds and work with service providers towards a path of recovery. In 2012, Brenda moved from supportive housing to an affordable unit on the West side of Chicago, not far from where she grew up.
Today Brenda is part of LEAC and a strong Advocate for more supportive housing and she wishes to help those experiencing homelessness feel less alone in their struggles. Brenda wishes to change public perception regarding homelessness. She wants people to know tat when a person is experiencing homelessness, it is not because they are lazy but it is because something traumatic or tragic happened in their life.