Posted by Reggie Tatum (216.78.15.212) on March 15, 2001 at 23:09:25:
In Reply to: www.oprah.com Oprah's website posted by Don M. on September 15, 1998 at 15:37:47:
Dear Oprah,
One of my friends said I should write you for assisstance so here goes. In August of this year I started a juvenile holdover shelter in my home town of Opelousas, La.. In my shelter I hold kids from 10 years old to 17 years old. I started out in an office trailer that I renovated at great expense to myself to make a shelter with computer rooms and exercise room,showers and kitchen. After I fixed up the place I had to move to another building at the landlord's request. The landlord put me through all kind of hassles including making me get a millon dollar liability policy naming him and his sons as coinsured. This cost me even more money . I had to go to court numerous times to fight the landlord and also was continuosly fighting untrue claims sent to fire marshalls office and othere state offices all so I would be shut down. Even through all this I peservered and move to a new location and opened up my shelter. Since opening I have housed at least 40 or 50 kids and tried to show them a better way of life other than drugs and breaking the law. I bring the kids to court and try to help them and their parents any way I can. The kids that get sent to juvenile reform school call me at least once a week to talk to me as a friend and confident, and also to pass messages to their loved ones. A lot of the kids parents don't have phones or even transportation to visit their kids. I try to take the kids ice skating and other activities that they never get to do at home. I am planning a trip to Angola prison and offering a free trip for any kids and parents that want to go so that maybe the kids will be deterred from crime. Oprah I am now being bombarded by parents of kids asking me to take their kids and let them stay with me to get them to behave. Since August of last year I have not had but maybe a week off to spend with my mother or my 14 year old son. My fiancee is probably going to find someone else because we dont get to spend any time together. I don't know what is going to happen to these children if I close down the shelter because even children that runaway from other places usually know my door is open to everyone and I'm always there 24 hours a day 7 days a week to talk to. I feed the kids and when they need I even buy clothes and medicine. I also take the kids to the doctor for medical care when they need.
I get some money from the city to defray the costs but most of my expenses are paid out of my pocket. Needless to say after using about 40,000+ dollars of my money I am almost out and am having trouble making ends meet. I have looked into buying a 5 bedroom mobile home to house the kids and not have to pay rent to a landlord. I also hpe to replace the cots that I have with beds after I get more funding. Oprah I only am writing you now because I can't think of any one else to turn to. I know you get a lot of requests for assistance, so if you cant help I understand.
My email address is rtatum1@bellsouth.net
My name is Reggie Tatum
Phone # 337-942-9837 home
337-594-2000 shelter
337-945-8237 cell phone
Thanks for reading,
Reggie Tatum