Latonia is a remarkable woman. Even in the midst of personal trouble, she has demonstrated tenacity, courage and compassion. “We are so proud of her,” Ella, a member of her mentor team, says. “You know what? God put her in our lives. And he put us in her life … we are mentoring each other.”
Last year, Latonia’s husband was shot outside their home in Kansas. He died on the sidewalk, resting in his wife’s arms. Devastated by reminders of him, Latonia knew she had to leave town. Her husband had often spoken wistfully of the beautiful Rocky Mountains and had hoped to take his family to Colorado someday. Latonia and her nine-year-old son moved to Denver to pursue his dream.
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From left to right: Alberta Cole, Ella Burgess and Frank Burgess, members of the Antioch Baptist Church mentor team. Not pictured: Earline Cole and Sheryl Conner.
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In Colorado, Latonia found a job quickly, despite having little work experience (she had always stayed at home with her son). Yet when her employer suddenly fired Latonia , she found herself on the street, with no friends or family to help. She and her young son moved into a shelter.
That’s when Latonia was paired with the Antioch Baptist Church mentor team through the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative. Ella Burgess, a member of Latonia’s mentor team, says that from the first, everyone sensed that Latonia possessed special compassion. “She’s like a shining star,” Ella said. “She’s always in good spirits … If you met her, she would make you feel good. God is working with her.” Latonia took in two boys, ages 8 and 10, from the shelter, who had been living alone on the streets, even though she was just coming out of homelessness herself. Their mother is ill and unable to care for them, and their father is unable to care for them . Ella says, “God works in mysterious ways. He meant for her to take in these boys.”
At Antioch Baptist’s first mentor meeting with Latonia, she shared her story. Everyone was touched by her situation and impressed by her maturity and generosity. They devised a plan of action to help Latonia and her son regain a stable life.
The mentor team supplied Latonia with leads and connections for jobs and apartments. Ultimately, Latonia found a job herself, looking through newspaper classifieds. “She’s a go- getter!” Ella says proudly. Today, she and her family have a place to call “home.”
Latonia feels accepted and welcomed by the Antioch Baptist Church mentor team. “We do a lot of encouragement,” Ella adds. “If there’s a problem, she’ll call me, and we’ll talk it out.” Last week, Latonia’s car key broke in her car ignition, and she called her mentors for help. Frank Burgess, Ella’s husband, was able to help Latonia extricate the key and also to get spare car keys made for future emergencies. Right now, the mentor team is working on getting Latonia an affordable phone card. Together with Latonia, they have researched employment laws in Colorado. They reviewed the section of her previous job contract that gave her employer license to fire her without reason. Now, Latonia understands the specifics of her current job contract and is better equipped for the future.
Ella is confident that Latonia has a bright, promising future ahead of her. In addition to working, Latonia goes to cosmetology school full-time. She aims to start her own business one day. Ella believes that Latonia’s strong work ethic and compassion will serve her well. “The future … is so good for her, because what she wants, she goes for it. You know how a lot of people run over you to get what they want? She has a caring heart, and that’s why she went and took those boys.“
Frank and Ella Burgess express gratitude to the Family and Senior Homeless Initiative, for giving them the opportunity to work so closely with someone in need. “I think this is a good thing going,” Ella says. “I really admire the Mayor for doing this. Homelessness can happen to anyone. One minute you’re doing well, the next minute, you lose your job. [Latonia’s] husband was the one who took care of her, and when she lost him, she had to get out on her own.”
Frank agrees. He remembers watching the homeless people of downtown Denver every day as a former RTD bus mechanic, and wishing that somehow, he could help. He says, “ I’d wonder…‘how can I help? How to make a difference?' Fifteen years, I’d sit downtown and watch these people. And I’d think, 'one of these days, I’m going to be able to do something.' I used to pray on this every night before I’d go to sleep…”
“I think it’s a blessing,” he continues, “for you to be able to help someone. And that’s been my outlook all my life…I have always wanted to help individuals in need.”
“As long as God has got us breathing and walking, we’re going to keep doing this,” Ella adds. “Thanks for getting us involved. We’re doing something for our community. Anybody can be homeless.”
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