She's Seen It All

She is a 77 year old widow who works full time as a volunteer advocate for people living in a "project" apartment tower. When the Philadelphia Housing Authority challenges a resident and threatens to evict them, this woman and her team of volunteers (and attorneys) investigate the claim and then, if appropriate, help the resident overturn the challenge. She is wise, strong, courgeous and experienced.

For 50 years she has lived in her attractive townhouse directly across the street from the apartment tower. In the late 1960s it was a good safe place to live -- there were even water fountains in the courtyard. The residents took pride in their apartments. Now it is a dark and dreary place.

The neighborhood, and many like it, fell apart in two phases: (1) The introduction of hard drugs 30-40 years ago. Men started using heroin and other dangerously addictive drugs. This removed them from their families. They were no longer dependable nor were they a source of income or support. The women became the matriarchs and kept things moving forward. But then the next shoe fell. (2) The introduction of crack cocaine enticed many women into easy usage. Crack did not required sticking a needle in one's arm. It could be easily smoked. Women got quickly addicted and abandoned all responsibilities.

Now there are drug dealers on many local street corners. Children are raising themselves without parental support, supervision or guidance. The result is predictable -- social decay on a massive scale.

Amidst this decline, two missionaries recently knocked on her door. Without hesitating, she invited them in and loved their message of the restoration of Christ's original teachings. She attended church and made new friends. She is getting baptized this Sunday.