A New Path

After getting out of prison, Bobby Brandy was certain of one thing: he would never return. To guarantee this, Bobby went to in2Action, a Columbia nonprofit that provides transitional services to those recently released from prison. There, he would begin a long journey of recovery after an even longer history of drug use. 

It began in St. Louis, when Bobby started smoking marijuana when he was 9 years old, shortly after his father had died. His drug use would continue through his teens, where he would experiment with different substances with his friends. Over time, those choices pulled him further into criminal activity and the environment that came with it.

“I was a product of my environment. And my environment was not good,” Bobby said. 

This environment he surrounded himself with included what he now calls “thieves, murderers and kidnappers.” This lifestyle continued well into his adulthood until he was put on probation for firearm and drug possession in 2020. 

Despite mandatory checks with his probation officer, Bobby’s habits never changed. He kept using drugs and breaking the law. After only a few visits, he stopped seeing his probation officer altogether, leading to a warrant for his arrest. 

At some point, it became too much. He realized the law would sooner or later catch up to him and was worried about the consequences slowly stacking up. It was time for a change. 

“I can’t enjoy myself if I’m always looking over my shoulder,” Bobby said. “I might as well do it on my own terms and get it over with and then start over. Be ready to live a life.” 

He turned himself in at a county jail in 2022. Committed to doing the right thing, Bobby sat on the curb outside of the jail for an hour and a half as the police tried to find his arrest warrant. They eventually took him in and he was sentenced to 16 months in prison. 

After getting released from prison, Bobby knew he needed a change. He decided to move out of St. Louis and came to Columbia, where he eventually landed at in2Action. 

“If I want to change, I’m gonna have to change my scenery, I’m gonna have to change where I’m at,” Bobby said. “I just wanted to be somewhere different, nobody knows me. I can start fresh.” 

Bobby was able to find something at in2Action he couldn’t before: structure, support and genuine connection. Past programs often felt like being dropped in a house and having to navigate through his recovery by himself. At in2Action, he was able to create a routine schedule with multiple mentors keeping him accountable. 

Progress is not a straight line, however. Bobby relapsed in late November. He’s tried staying sober before—previously hitting a record of 148 days. Relapsing this time, however, felt different. 

“The difference this time was that after I relapsed, I was scared,” Bobby said, “because I knew I didn’t come here for this. I was scared of what I was doing to myself all over again. This is not what I had in my mind. This is not where my path was taking me.”

The relapse forced him to restart the program at in2Action, but Bobby remains committed. Like many before him, Bobby hopes to start his own rehabilitation organization to help others like him. While some are focused on just making it through the in2Action program, Bobby feels a greater calling. 

“I feel like I have a bigger purpose than just being a person in the program,” Bobby said. “When I’m done with this program, it’s just the beginning.”

Bobby Brandy wakes up from a nap at the Daisy House, one of the shared houses for program participants at in2Action. The Daisy House lies right across the street from Bobby's late aunt's old house. He used to spend a lot of his time at the house gett

Bobby Brandy wakes up from a nap at the Daisy House, one of the shared houses for program participants at in2Action. The Daisy House lies right across the street from Bobby's late aunt's old house. He used to spend a lot of his time at the house getting high until his aunt eventually sold it to in2Action.

Bobby, right, listens to fellow program participant Patrick Steward during a skill drill class at in2Action. Bobby had the idea of starting an organization similar to in2Action while in prison. He wants to name the organization "Ready4Recovery."

Bobby, right, listens to fellow program participant Patrick Steward during a skill drill class at in2Action. Bobby had the idea of starting an organization similar to in2Action while in prison. He wants to name the organization "Ready4Recovery."

Bobby takes notes during a skill drill class. When Bobby first entered in2Action, a faith-based organization, his belief in God was quite unstructured. However, his belief and interest in religion has only expanded since joining the program.

Bobby takes notes during a skill drill class. When Bobby first entered in2Action, a faith-based organization, his belief in God was quite unstructured. However, his belief and interest in religion has only expanded since joining the program.

Bobby tries on a new shirt at the Salvation Army in Columbia. Participants at in2Action receive vouchers for clothes at the Salvation Army and The Wardrobe. Bobby was able to get multiple clothing items for himself. “Someone might look at me and thin

Bobby tries on a new shirt at the Salvation Army in Columbia. Participants at in2Action receive vouchers for clothes at the Salvation Army and The Wardrobe. Bobby was able to get multiple clothing items for himself. “Someone might look at me and think, 'What a fine, young man,'" Bobby said.

Bobby helps unload food donations given to in2Action along with house managers and other program participants. Bobby hopes to become a certified peer specialist through in2Action, potentially becoming the house manager for the Daisy House one day.

Bobby helps unload food donations given to in2Action along with house managers and other program participants. Bobby hopes to become a certified peer specialist through in2Action, potentially becoming the house manager for the Daisy House one day.

Bobby smokes outside during the cold night. After his relapse, Bobby said he felt immediate regret. "I came here for a specific reason and I’m getting it," Bobby said. "I asked for God to work on my heart and he’s working on my heart, and I turn arou

Bobby smokes outside during the cold night. After his relapse, Bobby said he felt immediate regret. "I came here for a specific reason and I’m getting it," Bobby said. "I asked for God to work on my heart and he’s working on my heart, and I turn around and do that."

Bobby listens to Jessica Chambers, director of the Reentry Opportunity Center, during a skill drill class. Jessica met Bobby through his uncle, Donnell, a close friend she supported after his release from prison. After Bobby moved to Columbia, Donnel

Bobby listens to Jessica Chambers, director of the Reentry Opportunity Center, during a skill drill class. Jessica met Bobby through his uncle, Donnell, a close friend she supported after his release from prison. After Bobby moved to Columbia, Donnell introduced the two, and they quickly grew close, a bond that continued even after Donnell's death in November of last year. "When my uncle died, she was one of the first people to reach out," Bobby said. "She was really there for me."

Bobby speaks to a criminal justice class at the University of Missouri about his experience in prison alongside other in2Action participants. They discussed the poor food, harsh correctional officers and the segregation of prisons.

Bobby speaks to a criminal justice class at the University of Missouri about his experience in prison alongside other in2Action participants. They discussed the poor food, harsh correctional officers and the segregation of prisons.

Bobby the Snowman entertains Serenity Young, 2, during the annual in2Action Christmas party. Bobby has nine kids of his own, ranging from ages 11 to 21. He makes sure to call them regularly each week.

Bobby the Snowman entertains Serenity Young, 2, during the annual in2Action Christmas party. Bobby has nine kids of his own, ranging from ages 11 to 21. He makes sure to call them regularly each week.

Bobby pulls out freshly-baked chicken for his birthday dinner at the Daisy House. Bobby was originally going to grill them outside until he stepped in dog poop and quickly moved plans indoors. He, however, doesn't seem to mind much. "I'm just gratefu

Bobby pulls out freshly-baked chicken for his birthday dinner at the Daisy House. Bobby was originally going to grill them outside until he stepped in dog poop and quickly moved plans indoors. He, however, doesn't seem to mind much. "I'm just grateful to turn 41," Bobby said.

Bobby sits on the porch across from his aunt's old house before a skill drill class. After everything he's been through, Bobby views the house differently. “I would be in the garage, hanging with some people and I’m down there getting high," Bobby sa

Bobby sits on the porch across from his aunt's old house before a skill drill class. After everything he's been through, Bobby views the house differently. “I would be in the garage, hanging with some people and I’m down there getting high," Bobby said. "I already knew what in2Action was and I’m looking at the guys standing out there and talking and whatever. But I never once thought that that’d be me over there. Every time before I go into class or any time I walk on that street, I just sit sometimes and look at that house.”