In 2011, Brooke Gibson faced an impossible choice—stay in a job that was harming her mental health and keeping her trapped in poverty or leave to pursue her education full-time and build a future free from constant financial worry. She chose to invest in herself and her children, but as a full-time student raising two young sons, she soon found herself unable to pay rent and facing eviction. With nowhere else to turn, she reached out to Wellspring Family Services.

“Wellspring helped me when I needed it most,” Brooke recalls. “There was no judgment, no assumptions—just real support.” Wellspring covered her past-due rent and one month of future rent, giving her the stability to keep moving forward. With a safe home, she was able to complete her degree in Business Economics at Seattle University and create a secure future for her family.

Today, Brooke is a homeowner and a Community Lending Officer at Washington Trust Bank. She helps first-time homebuyers, many of whom never imagined homeownership was possible, because she understands firsthand how stability opens doors. “Housing is the foundation for everything,” she says. “When people have a stable place to live, they can dream bigger, plan for the future, and focus on more than just getting through the day.”

She grew up in South Seattle and takes pride in investing in the same community that helped her along the way. Looking back, Brooke never imagined she would be where she is today. But her journey has shown her what’s possible. “We as a society owe it to people to make sure affordable housing is available,” she says. “Everyone deserves a place to call home.”