UPDATE: Relative of Homeless touched by ‘Miracle Services’
Mrs. Smith-Thomas is the cousin of Mr. Jonathan Freeman, who has been homeless for a number of years and has taken up residency at an incomplete structure on Flemming Street. On July 28, 2013, this news site had sit with Mr. Freeman who had said he had been out in the streets for approximately five years and had wished for the day that he could get a chance to turn his life around for the better. He had made a call for assistance from Government to help him get off the street.
At that time, his ability to speak was somewhat impaired and it took careful listening to understand what he was saying even though he repeated himself several times to ensure we understood. "Government not doing anything for us, nothing really they aint doing for we,” he had said.
In a follow-up to his call, this news site had spoken with Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health and Social Development Mrs. Petrona N. Davies who had indicated that government does pay special attention to the homeless, most of whom she had said end up in the street as a result of mental conditions.
She had also indicated that Social Department works with each person on an individual basis and in some cases they go through a programme that would sometimes see them returning to a family setting, getting jobs, among other things.
Meanwhile, his cousin, who resides in the USA, has over the years been praying for Freeman's recovery. “He has his challenges, many times I made interventions to have him in a proper place but it just didn’t work. People would say family don’t care but we do but there are situations sometimes that are beyond our control and you just have to pray for the best,” said Mrs. Smith-Thomas.
The cousin said that she felt moved to call this news site after reading the article published on January 2, 2013 captioned ‘Miracle Services’ feeds homeless and mentally challenged second time around’. “From the photos I know where my cousin stays and I saw that he was one that was fed and I felt so touched to the extent that tears fell. I just want to say many thanks to Mrs. Donovan for what she did.”
She said that it felt really good to know that there are people with kind hearts still left in the world. “Big companies and groups and organizations look for the places and people where they get good PR but no-one remembers the homeless and I am really moved to see this woman doing this on her own.”
The grateful relative said that she would be mobilizing other relatives and friends to support MGBHS programme and would make it her duty on her planned visit to the VI in August to sit with the organization to help work on some initiatives that can bring additional support to homeless and mentally challenged persons in the future.
Miracle Garden Behavioral Health Services is a Counseling and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practice in the Virgin Islands that caters to persons with mental illness, substance abuse and children with behavioral issues. The group is headed by Mrs. Jacqueline Donovan. This year she managed to feed fifty-five homeless and mentally challenged persons across Tortola. This was the second year for the initiative.
See previous story published on January 2, 2014:
‘Miracle Services’ feeds homeless & mentally challenged second time around
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Fifty-five homeless and mentally challenged persons from Tortola had a New Year’s Day lunch treat, compliments of Miracle Garden Behavioral Health Services (MGBHS).
It’s the second time around that the group has reached out and touched this category of persons in the Territory and according to one of the key players in the group, Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Jacqueline Donovan, it’s one of the most fulfilling things for her.
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, following the day-long goodwill gesture, Mrs. Donovan said that they began from Carrot Bay and ended in East End. “Feeding these individuals is about opening our hearts and contributing to persons that are less fortunate in our local community. It is my vision to someday not only to feed these individuals on New Year’s Day, but to be able to provide them with the necessary care that they need on a daily basis,” said Mrs. Donovan.
“I have always had a passion to assist persons who are less fortunate,” she added. “My passion developed even more while working abroad in the United States as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselor. On Christmas, my family and I would visit nursing homes, homeless shelters and half way homes, where we would take goodies and sing Christmas carols. The children who were young at that time would joyfully make Christmas cards and gave to the residents at the different facilities,” she added.
After returning to the VI, her passion continued and on January 1, 2013, Miracle Garden Behavioral Health Services did its first initiative of feeding the homeless and mentally ill in the community. This year a number of volunteers joined the goodwill project. Those persons included Mrs. Dawn Leonard and Mrs. Dawn Bryan. “I saw the excitement on their faces as they served individuals,” said an elated Mrs. Donovan.
Mrs. Leonard was equally as elated about participating in yesterday’s exercise. “Doing what we did in a season where giving should be more significant was a very rewarding experience. It was very humbling to be a part of this endeavour that helped to provide a very basic need to persons in the community who otherwise might not have had a hot meal. I commend Mrs. Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, Miracle Garden Behavioral Health Services and her beautiful family,” she said.
The fifty-five persons who were treated enjoyed a menu which comprised of Turkey, Stewed Beef, Fry Fish, Peas and Rice (Compliments of Mrs. J. Bertie), Potatoes Stuffing, Corn Pudding, Mixed Vegetables, Cranberry Sauce, freshly made Sour Sop and Golden Apple juices, bottled water, Coconut and Pineapple Tarts and Pumpkin Pie.
Miracle Garden Behavioral Health Services is a Counseling and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practice in the Virgin Islands that caters to persons with mental illness, substance abuse and children with behavioral issues.
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32 Responses to “UPDATE: Relative of Homeless touched by ‘Miracle Services’”
I would like to assist you. If you could provide me with your e-mail address so that I could write to you, that would be great.
it takes a cousin of mr freeman to shed tears and not even his closer relatives did that ... they should look out for him he used to be a big one at peter island for years working may god help him to get his life back.
I am so glad to be reading this article, and to highly commend you for pursuing one of your many dreams to help, and be an advocate for the less fortunate in a holistic way there in the Virgin Islands especially the "homeless."
While visiting with you and the family in Maryland back in 2009, as you expressed your desire to return home (Virgin Islands) after your studies to help take care of the less fortunate, I felt your passion; your earnest desire in looking forward to doing so. I wish you God's speed, and direction in such a needed and humble calling. I will do my best to get other Virgin Islanders here in Texas, along with my family to be a financial support in such a needed project. I will contact your for guidance in doing so. "Happy and Blessed New Year."