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They say “there are no atheists in foxholes.” During my tour in
Viet Nam as a Marine, I found myself promising on a number of occasions
that if I were to get through it alive, I would do my best to help others.
This heartfelt ranting of one scared 19 year old, turned out to be a
contract for life. Be careful the deals you make.
Places
like Viet Nam, the war aside, tend to give one a very clear picture of how
much of the world struggles, and suffers. This made a lasting impression
on one young man. Returning home with new eyes only served to reinforce
the fact that this suffering was universal. So began the many years I have
devoted to human services. It began with some very meaningful years
managing group homes for developmentally challenged children in Arizona,
and one other in California for disenfranchised adolescents.
It
was in 1983 however, that I began a 20-year run working with homeless
people. Initially it was the number of vets I saw each day in the street
that tugged at my soul. Over the years I just plain learned to love the
marginalized and fringe dwelling people of our society, and was lucky
enough to have many special relationships. For many years I was the
Director of a “soup kitchen” and shelter in Middletown and helped to
develop a very functional supportive housing project. Later I worked in
Hartford as the Program Director for Immaculate Conception Shelter and
Housing Corporation, one of the toughest and most overcrowded shelters in
the state. I also oversaw a number of other programs including a Street
Outreach Program, an extensive Case Management Program, an Educational
Program and a variety of Supportive Housing Programs.
Since
leaving the streets I have been plying some of the administrative skills I
accumulated over the years at FOCUS. Primarily I do the grant writing and
assist in other ways when asked to. A working life that began with
children has come full circle, as I do what I can to help.
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