Many Americas are NOT free! Child abuse and domestic violence can keep victims in bondage.
Controlling, abusive adults can destroy a child's self-confidence and self-worth.
Bully and victim behaviors are often learned at home! While leaving the Oakland Police Department where I worked as a consultant, I saw many homeless people gathering in Jefferson Park.
Volunteers were serving food.
I wondered why Oakland had so many homeless.
Mary Ann Wright had a bullhorn and was clearly in charge.
Her enthusiasm convinced me to volunteer.
Mother Wright fed the homeless for more than twenty years.
As a great-grandmother, she believed in tough love while insisting on clean tablecloths, cleanliness when handling food and good manners.
She often reminded volunteers to show respect for all of God's children.
During the four years I worked with her, I learned Mother Wright was married to an abusive man at age 14 and had twelve children.
Her brother rescued the family and they moved into his garage.
She worked two jobs and proudly stated that her children were never on welfare or in jail.
I asked Mother Wright why she decided to feed the homeless.
Some years ago, she said, "The Lord spoke to me in the middle of the night and told me to feed the hungry.
" She added, the vision happened over several nights.
She bought food with her $236 social security check and gave it to the homeless.
With help from local merchants, her mission grew.
Eventually, The Mary Ann Wright Foundation was formed which became a worldwide mission sending food and clothing to Russia, Vietnam and Kenya.
She was recognized by three Presidents; Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
She often said, "God has blessed me and my life is rich.
" Working with Mother Wright I got to know many homeless people.
Their stories of hardship and survival were heart breaking while others were inspirational.
One student lived in his car while attending college.
He graduated with honors.
Several mothers worked, sent their children to school and found help through local churches.
A survivor told me a woman held a knife to her throat and forced her to perform a sex act.
Several women said they were repeatedly raped when four men crawled into the vacant house where they were sleeping.
Rape was a common story, even in shelters.
These crimes were never reported.
I often heard; it wouldn't make any difference, no one cares.
Many of the homeless were horribly abused as children.
They never had responsible adults in their lives.
Accepting abuse and intimidation had become a way of life.
Sadly, many of the homeless are lost souls trying to survive one day at a time.
One woman showed me her scar from ear to ear.
Her boy friend slit her throat.
Another woman's teeth had been knocked out.
I grew accustomed to seeing glassy-eyed folks escaping life into a fog of drugs.
As one man put it, "It is easier to die this way.
" No one was there to help them emotionally or help them break the cycle of abuse and victimization.
Abuse and social isolation make people vulnerable.
I began to recognize the difference between bully and victim behavior.
Victims accepted self-destructive behavior because they didn't see any alternative.
One Saturday, we only had three volunteers to serve over 250 people waiting in line.
Mother Wright asked if someone would help serve.
James stepped forward.
He was a scary looking guy with greasy black hair pulled back into a pony tail with scars on his face.
We struck up a conversation and when we finished serving, he asked if I would help him.
My first reaction was, he wanted money.
But there was something different about James so I decided to hear what he had to say.
We sat on a nearby park bench talking for about an hour.
As the crowd thinned out, I let him know we could meet again the following Saturday.
Our conversation continued every Saturday for two months.
What I leaned from James and other homeless people, changed my life! I saw hurting people, that needed more than food and shelter.
They needed someone to listen without judgment and offer encouragement.
Several months later, James and I, with the help of a local pastor, started a men's support group.
YOU can make a difference! Join an organization helping the homeless.
You will grow stronger and more resilient with a greater understanding of people and the devastating consequences of child abuse and domestic violence.
Let's work together to help the homeless and break the cycle of abuse!
Controlling, abusive adults can destroy a child's self-confidence and self-worth.
Bully and victim behaviors are often learned at home! While leaving the Oakland Police Department where I worked as a consultant, I saw many homeless people gathering in Jefferson Park.
Volunteers were serving food.
I wondered why Oakland had so many homeless.
Mary Ann Wright had a bullhorn and was clearly in charge.
Her enthusiasm convinced me to volunteer.
Mother Wright fed the homeless for more than twenty years.
As a great-grandmother, she believed in tough love while insisting on clean tablecloths, cleanliness when handling food and good manners.
She often reminded volunteers to show respect for all of God's children.
During the four years I worked with her, I learned Mother Wright was married to an abusive man at age 14 and had twelve children.
Her brother rescued the family and they moved into his garage.
She worked two jobs and proudly stated that her children were never on welfare or in jail.
I asked Mother Wright why she decided to feed the homeless.
Some years ago, she said, "The Lord spoke to me in the middle of the night and told me to feed the hungry.
" She added, the vision happened over several nights.
She bought food with her $236 social security check and gave it to the homeless.
With help from local merchants, her mission grew.
Eventually, The Mary Ann Wright Foundation was formed which became a worldwide mission sending food and clothing to Russia, Vietnam and Kenya.
She was recognized by three Presidents; Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
She often said, "God has blessed me and my life is rich.
" Working with Mother Wright I got to know many homeless people.
Their stories of hardship and survival were heart breaking while others were inspirational.
One student lived in his car while attending college.
He graduated with honors.
Several mothers worked, sent their children to school and found help through local churches.
A survivor told me a woman held a knife to her throat and forced her to perform a sex act.
Several women said they were repeatedly raped when four men crawled into the vacant house where they were sleeping.
Rape was a common story, even in shelters.
These crimes were never reported.
I often heard; it wouldn't make any difference, no one cares.
Many of the homeless were horribly abused as children.
They never had responsible adults in their lives.
Accepting abuse and intimidation had become a way of life.
Sadly, many of the homeless are lost souls trying to survive one day at a time.
One woman showed me her scar from ear to ear.
Her boy friend slit her throat.
Another woman's teeth had been knocked out.
I grew accustomed to seeing glassy-eyed folks escaping life into a fog of drugs.
As one man put it, "It is easier to die this way.
" No one was there to help them emotionally or help them break the cycle of abuse and victimization.
Abuse and social isolation make people vulnerable.
I began to recognize the difference between bully and victim behavior.
Victims accepted self-destructive behavior because they didn't see any alternative.
One Saturday, we only had three volunteers to serve over 250 people waiting in line.
Mother Wright asked if someone would help serve.
James stepped forward.
He was a scary looking guy with greasy black hair pulled back into a pony tail with scars on his face.
We struck up a conversation and when we finished serving, he asked if I would help him.
My first reaction was, he wanted money.
But there was something different about James so I decided to hear what he had to say.
We sat on a nearby park bench talking for about an hour.
As the crowd thinned out, I let him know we could meet again the following Saturday.
Our conversation continued every Saturday for two months.
What I leaned from James and other homeless people, changed my life! I saw hurting people, that needed more than food and shelter.
They needed someone to listen without judgment and offer encouragement.
Several months later, James and I, with the help of a local pastor, started a men's support group.
YOU can make a difference! Join an organization helping the homeless.
You will grow stronger and more resilient with a greater understanding of people and the devastating consequences of child abuse and domestic violence.
Let's work together to help the homeless and break the cycle of abuse!
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