Brandy Rickaby’s Full-Circle Journey from Resident to Executive Director

Brandy Rickaby sits at her desk, smiling confidently and proudly, reflecting on how far she’s come.

Seven years ago, this moment seemed impossible – at the time, she was a mother with a newborn, once battling substance use, on the brink of homelessness, her life in a downward spiral. “There wasn’t one thing that I liked about myself before my recovery journey began,” she recalled.

Today, Brandy’s transformation demonstrates the power of support, resilience and determination. She was recently named Executive Director of New Generation.

Brandy first came to New Generation on a crisp autumn day in 2018 with her infant son. The Catholic Charities NH program provided more than safe shelter – it offered a supportive community and resources to overcome her substance use, learn essential life skills, and embrace her role as a loving mother.

Six months after moving in, she and her son moved in with a family friend – and soon after, a home they could finally call their own. Little did she know, Brandy’s journey with New Generation was just beginning.

Impressed by her dedication and ambition, Brandy was offered a job at the program’s on-site Second Generation Thrift Shop. She then earned her certification as a Recovery Support Worker, overseeing New Generation’s case management services that promote personal responsibility and nurturing family development. She has made a lasting impact on so many mothers, echoing her own path to resilience.

“There are high standards and then there are Brandy standards,” shares Elsy Cipriani, former executive director of New Generation “She is such a great professional who holds herself and everyone to high standards, and she understands that she’s a role model for the residents.”

When Cipriani recently departed New Generation to become the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank, Brandy was the natural successor. Now at the helm, she is poised to expand her impact, driven by a deep understanding of the hardships her clients face.

Brandy’s vision is clear: to implement the lessons of her own journey and reinforce the belief that no mother or child should face homelessness alone.

“Collaborating with our dedicated team and amazing community partners to tailor programs that meet our clients’ needs fuels my passion,” says Brandy. “This work embodies a journey of transformation, resilience, and hope.”

As she looks to the future, Brandy’s message to those she serves is powerful and personal: “Our circumstances do not define us, and every challenge we faced has been a stepping stone toward something greater. I have been right where I was supposed to be this whole time.”

Thanks to your support, Brandy’s story is more than a personal triumph; it’s a testament to the life-altering journeys – dreams achieved, lives rebuilt and many happy endings– that you make possible with every donation.