FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WHAT IT WAS LIKE

Victoria, along with the financial help from her parents, James and Patty Shepherd, founded the organization back in mid 2019 and became a 501c3 nonprofit in late 2020. The Inn's original demographic was 14-19 year old girls who worked at her then job Cafe Momentum in Downtown Dallas. At one point during the Covid-19 Pandemic she took in 6 girls and a baby that were homeless as a result of failed adoptions, parental surrender and/or aging out of the foster care system.

WHAT HAPPENED

After housing this demographic for 2.5 years Victoria became heavily depressed and drinking and using drugs to cope with her own unresolved trauma. After growing the organization to 2 homes in 2022, newly married with a baby on the way she thought she couldn't live anymore and almost ended her and her babies life in March 2022. After an intervention at Baylor Hospital and an emergency C-Section, she completely checked out of life. She was drinking and using drugs daily, left her child to be taken care of by her husband and in-laws, while her mom (3 years sober) ran The Inn. After 4 months of chaos she finally decided to check herself into a treatment center and got real help. That decision saved her life and while in the in-patient facility she noticed many women were going to be homeless after they were discharged. At only a few weeks sober Victoria invited 5 of them to live in one of her homes. That day, The Inn Recovery Community was born!

WHAT IT’S LIKE NOW

Since September 15, 2022 the organization has grown from 2 homes housing 10 women a year to 3 homes, a duplex, a triplex and a 4 plex housing around 120 women, children and families a year. With a relapse rate of only 5.5% in 2023 (national average is 70%) the numbers don't lie!

Something magical happens at The Inn, and as a result lives are forever changed!

FOUNDER & FACILITIES MANAGER

WHAT IT WAS LIKE

Bryan grew up in Corsicana, Texas into a Motocross racing family. His parents manage the Motocross Track in Freestone County where Bryan raced since he was 5 years old.

In his 20’s he gradated from Navarro College, trained younger riders, all while continuing to race with many sponsorships! After retiring from racing full time he moved to the Vet classes and focused on his natural talents in his handy man and renovation business with his dad, Burnett Home Services, LLC.

WHAT HAPPENED

Bryan met Victoria in mid 2020 on a blind date in Dallas, TX! Three months later they were married and Bryan was helping expand and develop The Inn. Together they developed a paid job training model for the residents in their homes who could not obtain a traditional job. This developed into many residents going on to start their own businesses and continue on the path of entrepreneurship.

WHAT IT’S LIKE NOW

Bryan takes care of his growing family, manages The Inn’s 12 units and works tirelessly everyday to ensure the safety of everyone in their homes!

We couldn’t do this without him!