Family Is Everything

It’s a family thing that was passed down through generations on my mother’s side. There is peace in a flower garden, pride in a vegetable garden, and pure joy in an orchard. The Family and Youth Service Center has built itself over the years by paying attention to the needs of the people who walk through our doors and those we see as they walk along Government St. to wherever their feet will take them and the ones who sit on our small brick wall waiting for the bus. People find their way here or are sent because of terrible circumstances as well as families facing the day-to-day difficulties that come with raising children and the hardship that comes with being a child. The efforts to lessen the burdens are the building blocks, the foundation of this amazing place with separate agencies who have their own staffs but work so well together, meeting needs far beyond their own capabilities. If I was given a dollar every time someone told me, “There’s something about this place.” we would never need additional funding. I have always thought that “the thing about this place” is a God thing. Over the years we have seen the results of evil but we’ve also seen the angels. Once, a while back, a tall, strong looking man walked in for some help. He didn’t know exactly where he was supposed to go or who he was to ask for. I happened to be at the door when he walked in so I asked him to give me an idea of what brought him here so I could get him to the right spot. He started with, “I’m supposed to get a check to help bury my sister-in-law’s baby.” This mountain of a man began to shrink before my eyes. Mostly talking to himself he said, “I don’t know what we are going to do.” The specifics of the case are his to tell, not mine, but what I can tell you is that he and his wife had taken on the responsibility of raising the surviving child, an infant as well. They didn’t have a baby bed, clothes, diapers, and didn’t know what formula the baby needed. They already had children and this new one was likely to bring challenges into their home. The man had absolutely no responsibility toward this little child but he never said that. He just needed to bury the brother, find a bed for the one he now had, and to take care of today, this moment, right now; tomorrow would come and he would face that then. Now, the God thing. A day or two before he walked into our doors a lady brought a “Pack ‘n Play” to donate along with bags of infant clothing that her baby had outgrown. Crime Victims Assistance helped with the money to bury the little boy, Capital Area Family Justice Center gave him diapers, Fathers on a Mission gave cans of several different kinds of formula, and we gave the bed and clothing that had been so generously shared. That’s this place: Everyone working toward one mission of helping. The “God thing” wasn’t us, it was watching him as he walked out and realizing that we had just met one of God’s angels. A man, who clearly loved his wife enough to handle whatever she needed, who opened his home to a baby who was not his responsibility, a child who, but for the Grace of God, would have long term difficulties and challenges. This little baby needed an angel and He was there, in a mountain of a man. We see the worst that people do to each other but we also see the very best. That is our blessing. Just as we think we can’t see or hear any more, we meet an angel or hear from a child we thought we had lost or one we knew had been saved because a person cared. I love this place. I feel God here. I meet his angels every day, usually down the hall, upstairs, or across the sidewalk just doing what they do, never knowing how miraculous simple kindness can be.

Those of you who know me, (Roxson) understand how much I love the Family and Youth Service Center. We see some awful things, but we also see how the good in people is so much greater than the evil. Yesterday, I needed to find my inner peace; I’m worried about a particular child, so I walked through our gardens. I began to focus on what survived the devastating string of hard freezes we suffered through down here in Louisiana. It hit so fast and then just wouldn’t let up. We had time to protect the Peace Garden so it fared pretty well, but we didn’t have the money to manage the sidewalk orchard. We did our best to protect the roots but didn’t have enough money to wrap the trees and vines. We planted the Sidewalk Orchard about 2 years ago with funding from Dudley DeBosier (#DudleyDeBosier) to provide fresh fruit to people who walk up and down Government St. We have a full block so we planted all kinds of trees and vines. As I looked closely at the freeze-burned branches and leaves, I found life. Little leaves were beginning to show themselves. I lost two trees but 30 survived. Then I thought of the child that sent me outside to find clarity through my worry. I thought of how one garden was protected but the other was left to the theory of “survival of the fittest”. Even with the cold, harsh winds beating down for days, those 30 trees and vines continued to survive. One plum tree even shows signs of blossoms. It was GOD’s message. The children we often work with live through tough times, may not always receive shelter and protection, but they stand hard against all that batters them. The world that seems determined to destroy them has less power than they have. They want to live, they want to blossom, they want to bear fruit for the future. It’s a struggle and they look pretty rough on the outside and often are hardened by the elements but inside is a survivor. Sadly, we don’t win every battle, sometimes the battle is too hard. Children get lost so easily. It’s so hard to carry the loss because we remember when their little eyes sparkled and their hearts held hope. In the past two years, the funding we get to work with child survivors of violent crime has been cut to 1/3 what it was. To be fair, everyone went through the same cuts but my pockets are just not deep enough to pick up that kind of loss. I have a question: Are you a person who looks at something that is beaten down and sees the LIFE under the damage or one that just sees the brokenness? Do you toss it away to give room for something prettier or save the one that survived in spite of the odds against it? I know my answer, do you?

With absolute gratitude, I can’t wait to tell you about the wonderful weekend at the Family and Youth Service Center all thanks to a total of 105 students from LSU . The Pre-law Society of LSU was joined by friends from across LSU to help get our Collaborative Co-op Building closer to being ready to begin accepting new partners to the Center to fill a 13,330 square foot building with services for children and families throughout the five-parish area of Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes. Sunday was anything but a day of rest with two shifts of amazing students, once again, from LSU that began with the organization efforts of LSU’s NAACP working across colleges with representatives from Law, Bio-Engineering, Kinesiology, Education, Marketing, and on and on. I’ve never had a weekend so surrounded by brilliant minds who are also dedicated to making a better world and not willing to wait for tomorrow. We organized and cleaned areas that included the “Library of Forever Books” and . . . drum roll. . . the room that will house classes that include our new Life 101. This course will teach a broad spectrum of essential life skills including sewing, basic car maintenance, simple house repairs, how to cook using fresh fruits and vegetables, financial literacy, and the critical life skill of “Getting a Job and Keeping a Job”. We have another day scheduled for Saturday, February 24 starting at 8:30AM . Come join us in preparing our Collaborative Co-op Building for its pilot Life 101 course! Stay tuned for the month of March. We’re going to set records!

January 25, 2023 - Latifa’s husband, Bostan, and sister, Bano, are now licensed drivers thanks to Sonny Cranch. Wanna (the baby) seems to be very happy as well. Bostan starts his part-time job tomorrow.

January 4, 2024: Last week an old friend walked in to our home at the Family and Youth Service Center to say “hello” and get hugs. She is one of God’s angels but angels need help now and then and she found it here at FYSC. Over the last 12 years our family has grown so big it may be impossible to count. We have kids that were counted out who went on to graduate from high school, have good jobs, and are raising their own children now. Every once in a while I run into one or they give me a call just to chat. We see moms and grandmoms who stop by just because they are passing by. Home is where the heart is so FYSC is the home to many. The Family and Youth Service Center is a shelter against storms, a place that nourishes the soul and body, a bit of laughter when a smile is hard to come by, a hug when kindness is needed, a reservoir for strength when a person needs to be replenished. FYSC fills needs, whatever they may be. God’s miracles are everywhere here. FYSC is: the hand that reaches out to hold on to the mom who is losing her grip Project Impact that works with families and children who are survivors of violent crime. Project REDII tutoring students with targeted tutoring to help children reach their greatest heights. The community cupboard that provides clothing, beds, food, pots and pans The Family and Youth Service Center is also a collaborative of wonderful caring people who are changing lives one ripple at a time like the Capital Area Family Justice Center working with domestic violence victims to help them become survivors. Fathers on a Mission giving support to children by supporting the significant men in their lives. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office Crime Victims Assistance who provides support at the worse time in the lives of survivors. Support and services to immigrants from countries around the world through the Louisiana Organization of Refugees and Immigrants. Providing resources to families through Southeastern University’s Discover and Renew program. Feeding the hungry through Travail’s food pantry housed in our cafeteria and kitchen. We find lost children through the valiant efforts of EBRSO Deputy Stephanie Hicks. Once she finds them she holds on as tight as Roxson does. Family is family no matter how they come in to our world. This year we were able, with the incredible assistance of Senator Cassidy, to rescue an entire family from war torn Afghanistan. I hope this year you will join us as we change the world, heart to heart. Sincerely, Roxson

September 9, 2023 - Alright guys, many of you know about the rescue operation for Latifa’s family from Afghanistan. The story is long, frightening, but incredibly inspiring. After getting a Humanitarian Visa into Pakistan they escaped from Afghanistan into Pakistan with 60 days to jump through the hoops (that were raised higher and higher) to get the Visas into the US before the doomsday clock goes off on September 13th. They got EVERYTHING done, almost. Bostan, Latifas husband, was a high level officer in the counterterrorism agency alongside the United States government. There are posters calling for his death and that of his family because of his work against the Taliban. They cleared USCIS, completed and passed the Medical panel. They received the approval for refugee status from the US Department of State. We (including several of you) secured their flights into the United States leaving Pakistan on September 12, the day before the drop dead date. EVERYTHING was done except the last step that should be the easiest. They MUST get their interview and foil to allow them to board the plane into the United States. This requires an appointment on MONDAY to get this past hurdle cleared. We thought that would be the easiest, and it might be but Bostan has not been able to get the appointment. Our Embassy is aware of the critical nature of this. And they may have all this ready to go for Monday BUT, if they don’t Bostan will be escorted out of Pakistan along with his two little boys into the hands of the Taliban. This would happen on September 13 . They cleared USCIS, completed and passed the Medical panel. They received the approval for refugee status from the US Department of State. We (including several of you) secured their flights into the United States leaving Pakistan on September 12, the day before the drop dead date. EVERYTHING was done except the last step that should be the easiest. They MUST get their interview and foil to allow them to board the plane into the United States. This requires an appointment on MONDAY to get this past hurdle cleared. We thought that would be the easiest, and it might be but Bostan has not been able to get the appointment. Our Embassy is aware of the critical nature of this. And they may have all this ready to go for Monday BUT, if they don’t Bostan will be escorted out of Pakistan along with his two little boys into the hands of the Taliban. This would happen on September 13. I am asking for two things. 1) If you personally know a Senator please ask them to make a call. You can PM me and I will provide any info you need. 2) Pray that God will open the doors to allow Bostan and his family get that interview and final foil. God has been in this all along. HE will see it through by using His Faithful servants to make the call and pray fervently. I believe in you. Even more so, I believe in the power of prayer and God’s awesome love for us. September 11, 2023 - UPDATE: WE HAVE MOVEMENT. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE!!!! The date has changed a little but they ARE coming and will be protected until they get here. It gives me a chance to put a welcome bag together for the boys. THANK YOU. OUR FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON DC are true friends. And GOD IS GREAT! The following was written by me as the night creeped by with no sleep waiting to hear that the Calvary had arrived. 6:34 pm in Islamabad- Bostan and his family waited by the doors of the Embassy all day. They are still sitting at closed gates. We believed- I believed. We were told that if they got out of Afghanistan, established the critical medical need for humanitarian purposes, were approved through the USCIS, passed the Medical, received their approval for refugee status, arranged for their flights to the United States, the Embassy had their names through Senator Cassidy’s office and they would receive the call to get their passports stamped. The call never came. Two years ago Bostan was given exit papers for his family but the air lift was so horribly botched only his wife and unborn baby escaped. Bostan, his little boys, and Latifa’s sister have been hiding ever since - in caves! Now what? His daughter is a natural born United States citizen. Now what? Their Pakistani Visas expire in less than 48 hours. Their flight leaves in less than 24 hours. Now what? Bostan fought the Taliban- he worked counterterrorism. Now what? He was a policeman- where are the voices of our police for a brother? Where are the voices of our military for a man that was left behind? Where are the voices of the mothers who can imagine the loss of having two little boys hands ripped away in a riot? Where are the voices of sisters who could never leave the little sister they raised? Where are the voices of the leaders who left so many behind? Where are the voices of the people of the United States of America? Bostan and his family will be escorted to the Afghanistan border in 48 hours to certain death. I am not the only one who cares! In 24 hours they should be on the plane that people who do not know them paid for. Where are the voices of my America, the one I still believe in, the one I told a loving Afghan mother still existed? They have done EVERYTHING! The right call could save them. My voice is just not big enough. The military police told them to leave. They told them I lied. Did I lie? I believed everything I told them. I believed everything I was being told. I believed. UPDATE: the CALVARY ARRIVED! September 15, 2023 - Latifa’s family has their appointment with the Embassy. Last step!!!!! Senator Cassidy stepped up big time! They are safe and will be arriving in Baton Rouge on the 20th. Last request (for a while). We need some furniture for their little apartment. The boys need a bunk bed and a single sized bed for Latifa’s sister. I already have a toddler bed for Wania and a bed for Latifa and Bostan. They might need some dressers, a sofa. But all of that can wait if needed. I have the kitchen needs already donated. September 20, 2023 - Great news the Afghan family will be arriving EARLY. God provided a tailwind. They will be here at 2:06!! Y’all I was too busy being in the moment. Lots of people were videoing and taking pictures. I’m sure they will share them with me. I will share with you when I get them. It was a really good day.

While helping fill out their applications with USCIS I found out a great deal about Bostan. He was a police officer in their little town and Latifa a nurse and midwife. He was highly regarded in his community and quickly rose in rank, soon working for the Afghanistan National Police in counterterrorism.Tt oward the end, Bostan’s group found a house filled with Russian weapons and armaments. They confiscated it all, assisted in the prosecution and sent the owner of the house to prison. They then arrested and assisted in the prosecution and imprisonment of two more ranking members of the Taliban. This lead to the wanted poster calling for the death of Bostan and his family on sight as an enemy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Bostan fought the Taliban in his country because of the threat of what they stood for. He didn’t fight for the United States he fought WITH the US against a common enemy. When the Americans pulled out so abruptly the alliance he had formed with the US guaranteed certain death to him and, very likely, his family. He was guaranteed safe passage into the United States for himself and his family by the United States military. Bostan and his family traveled to Kabul toward safety but people throughout Afghanistan were terrified and Latifa and her family were met with thousands rushing the airstrip. On the third day of trying to get to the plane they finally got close enough to see it. About then the Taliban saw Bostan. Bostan tried to draw the fire away from his family but in the riot Latifa was pushed toward the plane. Her little boys hands lost her grip and they were lost in the crowd. Latifa was pregnant at the time and although she tried to go against the mob to get to her boys they were only pushed farther away. Bono, Latifa’s younger sister was able to grab their hands but, by saving her nephews her chance to escape was lost.