Kimberly (Kimmy) Short is the founder and CEO of Broken Lives Restored, a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy for mental health, trauma recovery, grief support, and addiction healing. With a background in art education and over ten years of experience leading 12-Step Recovery groups, community programs, and art camps for both kids and adults, Kimberly is committed to creating spaces of healing and transformation.
She is a licensed Recovery Peer Support Specialist, Trauma Specialist, Inner Healing Expert, Somatic Healer, and Art Therapy Practitioner. Kimberly believes in the truth that we don’t have bad parts—only ones that need to be befriended and unburdened through curiosity, compassion, and clarity.
Her passion for walking alongside those in pain comes from both personal experience and a deep calling to be a light in the darkness. In her own journey, she has found healing and transformation, celebrating her sobriety since March 3, 2014. Through Broken Lives Restored, she is building a space where stories are honored, wounds are met with compassion, and hope is never out of reach.
You can learn more about her story and passion for reaching the broken on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brokenlivesrestored/
Guided By Love, These Are The Values That Shape Our Mission.
Guided By Love, These Are The Values That Shape Our Mission.
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Courage
We believe we are not defined by our trauma.
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Love
We believe healing deserves to be met with love, gentleness, kindness, courage and truth.
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Respect
We believe that every life we encounter deserves to be seen, heard, and valued—cherished for the unique journey it represents
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Strength
We believe each person has the power to restore their wholeness, embrace their true identity, and step boldly into a future filled with possibility
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Create
We believe that creating a community where healing is accessible, invites hearts to live fully and freely.

Kimberly Short, Founder and CEO
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Austin Community College: Associates of Fine Arts
Texas State University: BA in Art Education
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2015-2016, Gateway Church Central Austin: Leadership Development Program, Intern for Church Plant of New Campus. Responsible for launching Children and Student’s Ministry
2016-2018, Gateway Church Central Austin: Children and Students Pastor
2016- Present, Kid’s Creative Art Camp: Director
2017-Present, Gateway Church Austin: Women’s Restore Pastor
2018-2022, Lifeworks Austin: Recovery Support Peer Specialist
2022-Present, Broken Lives Restored: Restorative Specialist
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Communities for Recovery: Recovery Support Peer Specialist Certification.
RSPS Initial 6-hour core training
RSPS 46-hours supplemental training
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Understanding Trauma: The 12 Core Concepts
ASK Suicide Prevention Training
Trauma-Informed Care
Narcan Training
Unconscious Bias
Harassment Prevention
HIPAA and Texas Privacy Laws Description
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Healing-Centered Engagement Training
Personal Code of Ethics Training
Co-Regulation Training
Processing Grief Training
Theory of Change Training
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Allies Against Slavery: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Training
KIND Clinic: Sexual Health Training
TNOYS (Texas Network Of Youth Services): Child Welfare
Lifeworks: Youth Voice Initiative
SAFE Alliance: Neurobiology of Trauma Training
Driftwood Recovery: Compassion Fatigue Training
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Boundaries Seminar
Loved to Life Courses Completed:
The Heart Of The Matter: Preparing for Healing
Shepherding Your Spirit
Eternal Paths
Repentance, Forgiveness, Restitution
Honoring God by Honoring Authority
Love Bonds, Fear Bonds
Foundation of Early Life Wounding
Strongholds of the Mind and Flesh
The Idolatry of Bitterness
Striving for Love
Sexuality and Intimacy
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Lifeworks: Recovery Mondays
Refuge Ranch: Sex trafficking
Gateway Church Central Austin: Women’s 12 Step Recovery Study
Garza High School Peer Support Group
Staff Peer Personal Development Meeting
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2018-2022 Lifeworks Austin:
Youth Project Holiday Help
Lifeworks Emergency Shelter
Lifeworks Youth Resource Center
Gateway Church Central Austin:
2017-Present Women’s 12 Step Recovery Study
2017-Present Women’s Restore Network
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Alcoholics Anonymous Member Since March 3, 2014
Al-Anon Member Since November 24, 2019