Every community has its bright spots—people whose resilience and compassion light the way for others. For Brian Murphy, Community Engagement Manager at Helping Up Mission in Baltimore City, that light came after years of darkness.
Brian’s journey began with a fourteen-year battle with heroin addiction. He vividly recalls the moment everything changed: “I was going through withdrawals. I didn’t have any teeth, and I looked in the mirror and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I’m done.’” That decision led him to treatment, but not before hitting rock bottom—making headlines for stealing from a liquor store. “Mayor’s Son Steals from Local Liquor Store,” the paper read. It was a turning point that set him on a path to recovery and purpose.
Today, Brian channels his experiences into helping others find hope. At Helping Up Mission, he leads the choir—a role that’s about far more than music. “Some people come in with trust issues. They’re not ready to open up,” Brian explains. “I tread lightly, making sure I’m never harsh or judgmental. Criticism is really touchy when you’re in recovery.” Through patience and empathy, he creates a safe space where men can build friendships, rediscover trust, and feel the joy of connection.
For Brian, Good Energy means giving compliments, being there when someone needs support, and embracing people without judgment. “It’s about unconditional, empathetic love,” he says. That philosophy guides his work every day, whether he’s teaching choir harmonies or simply listening to someone who needs a sounding board.
Helping Up Mission’s impact recently grew even stronger with the opening of its Center for Women and Children, made possible in part by $230,000 in incentives through BGE and EmPower MD’s Energy Solutions for Businesses program. These funds helped the organization create a welcoming, energy-efficient space where women and children can begin their own journeys of healing and hope—another example of how Good Energy powers transformation.
Brian is proud of what the choir has become—a source of healing and community that draws donations and support from across Baltimore. His next goal? Securing a home of his own. After repairing his credit and paying down student loans, he’s saving for a condo—a milestone that reflects how far he’s come.
Brian’s story reminds us that Good Energy isn’t just what we deliver—it’s what we share. Through his courage and compassion, he’s helping others believe that no matter how dark the past, there’s always a way forward.
