3987 Missouri Flat Rd., Suite 340, #308, Placerville, CA 95667
Madison's Story
Madison's* story is one of joy, hope, fear and sorrow. It is the story of a thousand women, and yet it is unique. I am the chaplain for women in the county jail and that's where I met Madison. She's this bright-eyed, fun-loving, action-oriented young woman, a wife and a mother, a felon for a brief time. Her crime was stealing credit cards, but the true crime lies in the abuse that she was suffering at home from her husband.
I returned Madison's call, the call that had come in a little after midnight. The San Jose police had picked her up in our county and driven her to San Jose to serve time for driving with a suspended license. She was only there a day, but it was a day filled with the miracles of God.
"I wanted to believe you, I mean, I kind of believed you when you said God loves me and watches over me," she said, "but now I know for sure."
Upon her arrival, Madison was put in an interview room by herself for two hours. A new Christian, she spent her time praying, asking God to take care of her. In a short time she would be out on the streets of San Jose, a little after midnight, three hours away from home, with no car, no money, no phone, and no one to look to for help (and the San Jose police weren't offering her a ride back). During her prayer time, the answer she thought she was getting from God was, "Go find a church to help you." Little did she know that the church was waiting for her outside the jail.
There's a Godly man in San Jose who goes to the jail two or three times a week asking if anyone needs a ride home. It's just his way of serving his God. He has no judgment for those newly out of jail, only a ride home and a $20 bill. Madison answered his question with a "thank you, but I need to get to Sacramento." And to Sacramento he took her. If the story were to end there, it would be enough. Madison had gotten to see God in action. She had seen the face of God written on a stranger's face. But God wasn't done with Madison. His faithful servant stopped to buy her toiletries and a duffel bag. He gave her $20 for food. He paid for her room in a Best Western Hotel in Roseville. And then he said goodbye. Madison was safe. She felt loved. And, most importantly, Madison had HOPE.
There isn't a place in El Dorado County for women like Madison to go when they get out of jail or prison. Some have friends or family to go home to, jobs to continue, normal lives to lead. But so many have nowhere to go and nothing to give them hope. Madison was able to take two buses and a light rail to Folsom where she could get a ride back to her hometown, and she was given vouchers for two nights at a hotel. She was taken to Green Valley Community Church for a box of food, a little dinner, and a few new t-shirts. But tomorrow she faces a new day.
Tomorrow she must:
1. Look for a place to live, 2. find clothes and shoes appropriate for job interviews, 3. nourish her body, 4. figure out the bus system, 5. fill out job applications, 6. track down a tax refund, 7. report to probation, 8. apply for a new Social Security card, 9. food stamps and 10. MediCal, 11. fill out a victim witness application, 12. call Section 8 housing, 13. consult with an attorney 14. serve a restraining order and 15. divorce papers on her husband, 16. enroll in school, 17. apply for grants for classes, and 18. get a new state ID at the DMV. THEN she has to 19. retrieve (actually rescue) her children, 20. get them clothes and 21. food, 22. sign them up for school, 23. figure out how to get them there, 24. find daycare and counseling, 25. find them a safe, healthy, affordable place to live and 26. find housewares and 27. furniture to fill it.
All this and no car, no phone, not a penny to her name. And as she's striving tomorrow to put the pieces of her life puzzle back together, she knows that at the end of her day she might be sleeping on a bench in the park. Or behind a dumpster. Or in a public restroom.
There are those who say that women like Madison get what they deserve. Did Madison deserve to be beaten, terrorized, and verbally abused by her husband? Some say why waste our time? Is it a waste to give a hand up to someone who might some day be your neighbor? There are those who say she's just a criminal. Is that more important than the fact that she is also a mother, a daughter, an employee, a friend, a sister, and a child of God?
Something has to change. We can no longer ignore these women. We must make a stand to help them help themselves. Won't you join us on our journey?
*Her name has been changed.
