Pictured are (left photo) former clients Jerrica Byers and her son, Alexander; and (right photo) Monifa Johnson.
By William S. Gooden with Our Daily Bread Community Outreach
During the season of Thanksgiving many are thankful to have their families around them. Some in our community though are even more grateful for that opportunity and grateful for the help they had from Our Daily Bread (ODB).
Proven success stories At ODB Community Outreach Center, Inc., we believe every mother deserves a second chance — and every child deserves a loving home. These stories are a powerful reminder that with the right support, determination, and faith, restoration is possible.
A journey of redemption and reunification. When our client, Jerrica Byers, faced the heartbreaking reality of having her newborn son placed in foster care due to past choices and an unhealthy lifestyle, she refused to give up.
Determined to rewrite her story, she embraced every opportunity to grow, heal, and rebuild her life.
Although Child Protective Services outlined specific requirements for reunification, Jerrica took additional voluntary steps by enrolling in a treatment program, showing her deep commitment to becoming the mother her son deserved. Her dedication began to shine through — supervised visits soon transitioned to unsupervised ones, and within six months, her visitation hours were extended. Over time, those hours grew into overnight weekend visits as she continued to demonstrate consistency, responsibility, and love.
Throughout this journey, the Jerrica maintained employment, working temporary full-time positions while searching for a permanent job. After 17 months of steady progress, the courts recognized her transformation and granted full reunification with her son. On October 10th, she regained full custody — and just ten days later, she secured permanent full-time employment with U.S. Bank.
From the very beginning, Our Daily Bread Community Outreach Center, Inc. stood by her side, providing unwavering emotional, financial, and practical support. Even though our agency receives no compensation when babies are placed in foster care, we invested our time, resources, and hearts into this family — and every moment was worth it. Today, Jerrica and her son, Alexander, are thriving together. Moving forward, Our Daily Bread will continue to walk beside her, offering guidance to help her understand parental rights, local ordinances, and ways to protect her family from future challenges.
From program participant to community leader Our client, Monifa Johnson, a devoted mother of three, was enrolled in our Pregnancy Program for four years. During her time with us, she actively participated in community events, facilitated a mommy support group, and assisted with several agency projects. Her dedication to personal growth and community service stood out from the very beginning.
With our support and encouragement, she returned to school and earned a Certificate in Real Estate. She later completed an eight-week business course, where she gained foundational knowledge about nonprofit management.
Shortly after, she successfully launched her own nonprofit organization, Men Stand Up, which focuses on helping men reintegrate into the community after incarceration.
In August, she took another major step forward by enrolling at Milwaukee Area Technical College to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate.
Her journey reflects the mission of ODB Community Outreach Center, Inc. — to build mature, independent, and successful young leaders. She embodies the strength, perseverance, and determination that our programs aim to cultivate.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of our community, sponsors, and partners who make success stories like hers possible. Together, we are transforming lives and building stronger families and communities.
