Former Resident Comments on the Alumni Reunion

Wow, that was a lot of fun and an honor to be there. It would have been perfect if Cynthia Adams and Carlos would have been there.

I didn't have the blessing to speak at the reunion due to circumstances beyond my control, so ill use this wonderful website and this great article to speak through.

I first went to the Cov in November of 2001. Wow thats like almost 8 years ago. The campus looks absolutely NOTHING like it did back then. Crisis was where Outreach is (thats right folks, the center was SMALL! lol) and was only capable of helping at the most 15 to 20 residents at a time, but carlos and his big heart just couldnt turn away a youth that genuinely needed help, so we would have like 20 to 25 at a time. It was only 6 rooms: 3 for the girls and 3 for the boys, at least 3 to 4 per room. The lobby area catered to about 15 boys at night, and the only way to sleep in the bedrooms if you were a boy was to have a job. That was motivation enough! LOL

When i went into the Crisis center in 01, i came from the Juvenile system with an orange sweater, sweatpants, and slippers, looking like a pumpkin with absolutely nothing to look forward to at the time, and virtually no support, except from my Godfather. Carlos took me in with open arms, and the real work began. With Carlos for support, Ms. Johnson for motivation, Ms Norma for strength (we all know that Ms Norma is hard on us because she loves us, real talk!) and Blanca for leads, i was able to get my SSN Card, my ID, My Birth Certificate and my first job within my first month being there. I couldnt believe how much i had accomplished at that point! And to have all these people who had my back and actually cared about me? i was in total shock. By that point Ms Adams and Carlos had joined in motivating me and basically lit a fire under me, and i havent cooled down yet!

I finally moved on to the newly renovated and revamped ROP when it reopened in 2004 and the motivation was inherited by Mr. Johnson and the ROP staff. I had the utmost respect for Mr. Johnson, Ms. Burton, Ms. Campbell, Ms Robinson, and Ms. Lumpkin. They continued the legacy that Carlos started, but with a twist. They made me fully responsible for my actions and made me see life more clearly. Mr Johnson with his real life examples and Ms Campbell with her bluntness, i was sure in for a treat. But i was up for the challenge! I still was at crisis hanging out with carlos, but my new home was ROP. Ms. Burton gave me the tools to be successful and the rest of the team made it there personal responsibility to make sure that myself and the rest of my peers were successful.

I can honestly say without conviction that had it not been for the wonderful and caring people at the Crisis and ROP and the rest of the staff (Mac Walker and the old JDC staff too!) i would not be the growing man i am today. Now im a up and coming manager at Mc Donalds ( WE ARE HIRING TOO! LOL), have my own place, and working on my second degree in broadcasting (masters coming in the future baby!!!) and never been more happy. All this is possible because of the wonderful people at the COV! from the bottom of my heart, I just wanna say thank you for caring for me and not giving up hope, no matter how hard it got!

For those that want to contact me, old and new residents, staff, whatever. If its to wish well or to pick my brain, or to get a job, whatever, here is my contact information:

thank you and God Bless,

Anthony "Big Hugg"
contact info has been edited to prevent spam, if someone would like Anthony's contact info, please call 313-463-2005.