Bordering a gingerbread house with icing, gummy bears and gum drops was the best time Valencia Logan has had with her children in months.
The Augusta mother and her three children have lived at the Salvation Army's homeless shelter since March. On Thursday evening, Ms. Logan said she was able to forget about her situation and bask in her children's joy over smearing icing all over her clothes.
"This is a great activity. They could go outside or just sit under me, but this is something where I really get to be interactive with them," she said at the shelter Thursday. "This is probably something you would only get to do once or twice in your lifetime."
Trish Karter, the owner of a Boston baking company, Dancing Deer, gave about five mothers the opportunity to enjoy some baked goods and time with their children.
The Boston woman started a bike ride Wednesday in Atlanta that will stretch 1,500 miles over 15 days.
She made a stop in Augusta to distribute her company's Sweet Home gingerbread houses -- 35 percent of the sales of the treats go toward college scholarships for homeless and low-income mothers.
She plans to visit 15 shelters by Mother's Day and spread awareness about homelessness.
"We're trying to get single mothers into permanent homes. The education can help," Ms. Karter said. "I hope I can show that private businesses need to think about more than money. Their success is also measured in what effect they have on a society."
Every year, 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. In January, more than 550 women and children were homeless in Augusta, according to a CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority survey.
Ingrid Tutt, assistant development director, said she hoped that Ms. Karter's efforts would change the perception of homelessness.
"She understands that the face of homelessness has changed," Ms. Tutt said. "It's not the stranger on the corner. It's mothers. It's men who do work, and just don't have a home."
Ms. Karter said she plans to expand the Sweet Home project nationally.
The project could be a benefit to many local women, Ms. Logan said.
She said she hopes she and her three children will one day attend college.
"Homelessness is a big issue, especially for mothers with their children," Ms. Logan said. "I never thought I would be in this situation, but it's nice to know someone does care and wants to help."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
by the numbers
172
Women and children living in homeless shelters in Augusta
379
Women and children living on the streets in Augusta
600,000
Homeless families in the U.S.
Track Trish Karter's ride and learn about the Sweet Home project at www.dancingdeer.com/ride.
A lot of people know and a lot of people care and a lot of people help. It would be nice if mothers think about this situation before they start making babies. It would cut WAY down on those that need to cover their responsibilities for them.
Patriciathomas, you are an arse. You can tell you have never had to deal with any real issues in your life or you would have more compassion. Thirty years ago, I was just like that woman at the shelter. I had two small babies, father left, and I found myself with my children living in an old shack with no utilities. Things like that happen. Fortunately, I recovered financially and my children and I all attended college and are now productive citizens. Heck, we may even pass you in the Kroger store in Evens! So please, reserve judgement for God. Remember the saying "But for the Grace of God go I".
Townie, did someone ride a bicycle for you 30 years ago? or did someone know, care and help? Since you claim to have recovered, my arse would venture to guess it was the latter. While you have a nice story, it actually agrees with my post. However, I would venture to guess that TODAY, the vast minority of homeless have a story similar to yours and an even smaller minority will have an outcome similar to yours. Remember the good advice, think before you post.
What PT says is the truth. That was not a blanket statement that included all women. The truth hurts and the truth is it would cut way down the women in that situation if they found a career, education, and independence before having babies; both married and unmarried.
this starts at home and a lot of these women don't have a good example at home when they are young, they lack common sense and lack home training and manners.. so how it be expected for them to have common sense when they lay down with the thug next door, the homie across town and the drug dealer across the street.. bad examples and lack of everything begins at home and for the most part none of this things exist..
PLease know these numbers are incorrect. The point in time was for one night ONLY and included men, women children nd those on the streets.
...and it certainly will not hurt her business or the sale of gingerbread houses from the 'dancing Deer" now will it?.......
Yes Patricia, it would be so nice if everyone could live in a "lollipop world" where a girl would never make a mistake, and her entire life runs smoothly....oh well, that is exactly the kind of reply I would expect from you.
Sorry for the confusion mthman. I'm sure you dedicate all of your earnings to the unfortunate just to look like you're magnanimous. Why didn't I think of taking that action myself?
All of you missed the bus on this. I'm not sure if any of you understand. The fact that these women are homeless and living in the shelter has nothing to do with "home training" it has nothing to do with the sale of gingerbread houses or furthering the financial gain of the woman running the business. It has only to do with bringing attention to the plight of those who are homeless, To inspire conversation and hopefully action. It is also intended to foster communitcation and free play between children and their parents during their stressful situation. I was there and had the opportunity to watch the process. There was not a time that Ms. Karter advertised her business...The way the article was written leads people to believe that Ms. Karter came down here to sell baked goods then visit the shelters--that was not the case.
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