Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
“And within that space, they have access to cooking classes, GED classes, applications to our microloan program, parenting classes, elder care services, mental health specialists, driving classes, and legal aid and lawyers on retainer. We offer substance abuse programs, gambling addiction programs, employment assistance, job assistance, and jobs for those who graciously choose to work for this great community.
“We have not one, or three, or five, but six libraries,” she said, “three community centers, two movie theaters, and two sports facilities. For the minors and underage runaways that come to our doors, we have group homes, yes, but what makes us different is that we don’t assign five-to-ten children to one caregiver—no,” she affirmed, voice firm. “We assign one, I repeat, one caregiver to one child.”
“One?” someone remarked.
“One.” She smiled at us. “One person to love, care, and devote to this child who has found their way here through circumstances that were most certainly tragic. And while that child or teenager lives with us, they’ll receive a full education in a traditional school environment, or even a non-traditional one—for those with special needs who require a different pace or accommodations.
“While living at the shared home, every child has their own private room, but when they’re outside of that room, they’re free to enjoy the theater, the soccer field, the basketball courts, swimming at the community center, or just kicking back with their friends. They have a home here,” she stressed. “Not a facility or a program. But a home.”
She paused, taking in a deep breath. “And last, I must mention the program closest to my heart, our disability support and service program. Here we are fully equipped to care for and support children and adults with all disabilities. I can attest that one of the fears the parent of a child with a severe disability has is: what will happen to my child if something happens to me? Who will love them, who will care for them? Who can they trust?
“And while I pray that no force in this world will ever s-separate a parent from their child,” she croaked, “I also need the world to know that it’s here. This is the place where they’ll be loved, respected, and cared for by people they can trust.”
“Wow.” The group burst into applause, adding more color to the guide’s cheeks than was already given by the balmy Florida morning. “Amazing. Simply fantastic.”
“Truly impressive,” the woman to my right agreed. “You certainly have a lot to offer, but you’re also very out of the way. We are miles from the nearest town. How is the average person in need supposed to get here?”
“That is a great question, and thank you so much for asking it,” the guide replied, “because we had the same question when we chose this location, and the answer was simple. We have partnered with every major rideshare company in the country. The only thing a person in need has to do is give our name, and they will be driven—for free—to the many pickup locations we operate in all fifty states.
“Pickups within the continental US will be driven here by shuttle. Pickups in Hawaii and Alaska are given flight vouchers directly to our nearest airport here in Florida, where we again, are waiting to receive them.”
That got a round of impressed looks and raised brows.
“But isn’t there the potential for abuse in this free-for-all,” called the grumbly voice of the cynic who spent the whole shuttle ride bitching and moaning behind me. He clearly wasn’t pleased that his wife wanted him to donate their yearly charity tax write-off to this place. “What if all these people you’re giving free food, houses, and money to are just a bunch of freeloading wastes who would be making something of themselves and contributing to society if you didn’t make the need to do so obsolete?”
The guide didn’t lose her smile. “Also, a very great question. This is a fear that many of our potential donors have. You’re good people,” she said. “You want to make sure that every cent you donate goes to people in need, and not to those who seek to take even more from those without.
“That is why during the tour, I will go in depth into our vetting and application process, criminal record check, security, and our close and personal relationship with local law enforcement,” she said. “I do not mind telling you that we had an incident three months ago with a man who did pretend to be unhoused, so that he could gain access to our grounds.
“We went through all the standard motions, which included taking a photograph and sending it to every man and woman who came here escaping partner violence. One of those brave women immediately identified the intruder as the violent husband she traveled three states to escape. That man was arrested and escorted off the property without ever stepping foot past the welcome center.”