Help Exploited Teens Rebound

When you turn on the local news, do you dread hearing about the horrible things that go on in our local community, right in our own back yards?  If you were watching the news on January 8, 2013, in Roseville, CA this is the report you would have seen:

CBS News Report

This man abused these boys for months, under the guise of running a preparatory basketball academy.  As the horrible details of the abuse played out on the television and the internet, another story was not being told.  The story of one teacher's generosity, courage and tenacity has gone unreported and unsung "“ until now.

 My dear friend, Amy Gordon, was the teacher in charge of overseeing the Boys' curriculum through an independent charter school.  When she visited the Boys on a bi-weekly basis, she could never shake the feeling that something was: off.  Finally, on January 8th, the Boys confided in Amy what had been happening to them while under the "care" of this man.  She held their hands and heard their stories, sat with them while the police questioned them and took their statements.  She never left their side.  The Boys became a part of Amy's heart.  Then, the police told her that although the local student would be able to return to his home in Sacramento, the three other Boys would have to go to a boys' shelter because they are foreign students (two from France and one from Brazil).   

Amy thought of her own little girls, both toddlers.  She thought of these Boys' mothers "“ families thousands of miles away who sent their babies to America.  To us.  They kissed their Boys, and sent them here for what they believed was an amazing opportunity to follow their dreams -  an American high school education with the goal of playing basketball for an American college.  With these thoughts swirling in her head, and these mothers' faces in her mind's eye, Amy could not, in good conscience, allow the Boys to go to a shelter or halfway house.  After a phone call to her husband, Eric, their family grew overnight from a family of four to a family of seven.

Amy has been taking care of three Boys, along with her own family, ever since January 8th.  She serves her new Family quietly and efficiently.  Most of her day was taken up with homeschooling the boys, until she was finally able to get them placed in a local high school (after working up the chain of command to the district superintendent).  Now, her hours are spent shuttling the boys to and from school, carpooling to and from club basketball practice and games, tutoring high school level homework, prepping one of the Boys for the SAT, communicating with the French consulate, working with the Roseville PD on the ongoing investigation, setting up appointments with school psychologists, and updating the Boys' families on an ongoing basis.  Of course, this also does not take in to account the food, shelter, clothing, laundry, and other basic needs she provides for the Boys, or the time that she still needs to devote to her job!  She and Eric continue to parent, love and nurture their own girls (ages 2 & 3) "“ Missy C and Missy K who LOVE their new "big brothers" "“ and also parent, love and nurture their Boys.

Providing for their newly large family has not been easy.  We are now taking donations to help absorb some of the cost the Gordon Family is incurring while hosting the Boys. The oldest of the boys will be relocating to college at the end of May, pursuing his hoop dreams and his American education.  The other two boys will be staying with the Gordon Family for the foreseeable future, and likely though the 2013/2014 school year.  All donations received will go directly to the Boys.  

Your generous donation will contribute to the following:

*Food (these boys eat A LOT and Amy loves to feed them as they did not have access to much healthy food in their preparatory school situation)

* School Supplies & Materials 

* Fun activities (bowling, mini golf, movies, etc.  At the school, they were not allowed to leave the house and it is the goal of the Gordons to provide as normal an American teenage experience for them as possible)

* Money to help the oldest Boy set up his first college apartment (he has very little and will need sheets, towels, dishes,  etc.) 

* Tutoring "“ As English Language Learners, all of the boys need additional help beyond what Amy & Eric can provide, especially when large assignments or big tests like the SAT come around.  A friend, who is also a credentialed teacher, has been providing tutoring at a very discounted rate (as in free), and they would love to be able to pay her something.

* Summer Basketball Camps

* Basketball fees, shoes, and gear for a year 

I am blessed to call Amy a dear friend of mine.   I know that were I placed in her situation, I would not be able to navigate it with half of the grace, patience, fortitude and love that she has shown under these extraordinary and trying circumstances.  In the face of this choice, what would you do?  Now is your opportunity to show her, and these Boys, what our community "“ what the American community "“ is all about.  Amy told me that one of the Boys said to her, "I will never be able to repay what you have done for us."  She told him that all he needed to do was never to forget her, and to help someone else when they needed it and he could provide it.  He looked at her and said, "I could never forget you".  This is our chance to show these boys - and the Gordon Family - that they will not be forgotten, either.

To read more about the Gordons and the Boys, see this article as well:

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/31/5305180/teacher-gives-roseville-basketball.html