- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
A life-long resident of Boston, Beverly Brewington recognizes that her career journey has not been the same as others. She reached out to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) in 2004 when she started studying for a career in food preparation. Twenty years later, she pivoted her career goals to acquire a degree in psychology and focus her professional life on helping those who have survived domestic abuse and substance use. She wants to be an advocate for them to fulfill their dreams and reach their full potential, despite their past.
Beverly’s story is painful and inspirational as she has continued to fight against the odds to achieve her career goals. A physical confrontation resulted in a head injury that caused her to be legally blind. Lying in a hospital bed, doctors told her she would not be the same and would have to relearn how to talk, walk, and other things she had taken for granted.
But that did not deter the former scholastic athlete. A testament to her perseverance and resilience, Beverly set a goal to finish high school while navigating the challenges of her new life. "They wanted to put me in a GED program, and I said no," Beverly remembered. "A GED is not a diploma; I wanted to say I graduated from high school." Beverly did just that.
That's when she began looking for a path toward a career she would love. In 2004, she enrolled in Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) to study food preparation. During this time, she partnered with MRC to help her pay for tuition, books, and find tutoring services. Beverly chose food preparation because she loves to nourish people. "Food brings people together," she laughed. "I love cooking. I'll go to restaurants and come back home and try to imitate what I had and put my little twist on it."
And as much as Beverly loved learning and earning credits toward her degree in food service, she couldn't help but feel this wasn't her purpose. "It was something inside of me, and I felt like I was meant to help people," she reflected. "I want to help people who have been through similar situations as myself, and this is my calling."
She changed her field of study from food preparation to psychology. She was determined to stay on track to graduate in 2024, even if that meant doubling up on coursework during future semesters. But Beverly isn't afraid of hard work or asking for help when she needs it. "Yes, it's challenging. But I'm doing it!" she said. "This is where I'm supposed to be."
Since Beverly started working towards her degree, MRC has been instrumental in providing her with support, services, and resources. MRC has equipped her with a computer and connected her with services that have facilitated a conducive learning environment, enabling her to excel in her academic pursuits. "If I know I need something, I'm not accepting no as an answer. We all need help. But if you don't ask for help, you're not going to get it."
Her MRC counselor, Desiree Etienne, has been a part of her journey during the past few years. "I trust Desiree," Beverly shared. “It has been great working with Beverly. She is a big advocate for herself,” said Desiree. “She is a goal-oriented person and through it all she strives every day to be the best version of herself.”
Beverly looks forward to 2024 and earning her psychology degree from BHCC. "I'll be the first one in my immediate family to earn a college degree," she shared. "And I'm going to invite everyone for a graduation party and cook for everyone. To say thank you."
