Through her teenage years, Brittanie Bogard was on the move — and not really of her own volition.
A native of Louisiana, her family bounced to California and then to Hopkinsville, where she’d eventually end up in a group home, and later ordered into a three-year stay at the Christian County Detention Center as a repeat offender on scads of now-expunged misdemeanors.
Fortuitously enough, her life changed entirely following this incarceration. And now, she’s embracing the role to change the lives of others.
On Wednesday afternoon — in the packed living room of her and her three daughters’ new 1001 Central Avenue home — Bogard was publicly endorsed and announced as the Durrett Avenue neighborhood ambassador for the Challenge House program, with hopes and expectations from many to shepherd those who need guidance, just as she needed all those mistakes ago.
During her time behind bars, Bogard said she was able to operate in the work release program, which put her in contact with Hopkinsville Rotary, the office of former Judge-Executive Steve Tribble and other noted dignitaries in the community.
When she was freed, medical issues forced her out of a good welding job at Metalsa — a true setback.
Then, one of her daughters got into the group home system, following some undisclosed complications at school.
History was repeating itself. A social worker called Bogard into his office, but didn’t want to talk about the daughter. He wanted to talk about her as a mother, and this cyclical path with the child.
It was a “woah” moment for Bogard. She went to her car, and cried. And as she cried, a friend sent her an email detailing the expungement program process. Right there, in that moment, Bogard filled out this application, and another for Hopkinsville Community College.
In December 2022, she graduated with an associate of arts. This May, she’ll walk and graduate with an associates of science, and then plans to attend Murray State University for a bachelor’s degree in human services and non-profit organization.
One of many, many HCC officials in attendance Wednesday, Yvette Eastham said it’s “been a blessing” watching Bogard and her young family thrive.
Bogard noted it was Carlos Wilson who originally suggested she be a candidate for this line of ministry. So she contacted Executive Director Michelle Wilson and went through the application process and some board meetings, before gaining final approval.
Beyond busy from the get go with Durrett Avenue and Crockett Avenue residents and programming in the last two weeks, a U-Haul still sits in the driveway of Bogard’s new home.
Thankfully, she might be done moving for awhile. Because a community she once hated as a kid, is now one she’s hoping to mold and build as an adult.
Bogard, 36, is also a part of the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center board, and while at HCC was nominated and served in a student role for both the college’s Board of Regents, as well as the board for KCTCS.
Her three daughters are Bryleigh, Brooklyn and Breanna.
