Several people have asked how Midnight with Mandy began, and the answer is deeply personal.

I am a wife, a mother of four, and a Mimi to eight. For nearly 15 years, I worked alongside families in transitional and permanent supportive housing programs. Helping others wasn’t just my job, it was my purpose.

In October of 2020, everything changed. After contracting COVID, I spent nearly four months in the hospital on a ventilator with a tracheostomy. When I finally returned home, I was bedbound — unable to walk, unable to properly use my hands, and facing a long road of recovery. Through extensive therapy, I regained the ability to walk short distances with a walker, though I am mostly wheelchair-bound and still experience limitations with my hands.

During this time, my husband would occasionally listen to the police scanner. Before long, I found myself listening too — and eventually, it became a nightly routine. In late 2022, I began sharing scanner updates on my personal Facebook page. What started as a simple habit unexpectedly grew into what is now Midnight with Mandy.

For over a year, friends and followers encouraged me to create a dedicated page. I hesitated — worried about making mistakes, offending someone, or not being able to stay consistent if life intervened. But with their encouragement, I took the leap.

Shortly after launching the page, I created a monthly calendar of free Halloween events. That calendar turned into monthly listings of free community events and resources. From there came food pantry schedules, hot meal listings, daily community updates, and a growing clothing bank resource list.

Not being able to return to the social work field has been one of the hardest adjustments of my life. But Midnight with Mandy has helped me realize that while my work looks different now, my purpose has not changed. I am still serving my community — just in a new way.

What began as a scanner feed has grown into a trusted community resource, and something that has deeply impacted me personally as well. I am incredibly grateful for the messages, encouragement, tags, and support. While I do my best to respond to everyone, please know that if I ever miss a message, it is never intentional.

Thank you for taking the time to learn how Midnight with Mandy came to life. Your support means more than words can express.