“What We Do for Ourselves Die With Us. What We Do For Others and the World Remains and is Immortal.” — Albert Pine

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Millions of people all across America spent their Thanksgiving Holiday indulging in Turkey and all the stuffing’s. Eating pies and cakes while watching football games with family and friends. Some people were preparing for the big shopping day on Black Friday. For the past several years Gathering of Hearts and volunteers have collected food, clothes, and other personal items to distribute to families who are in need of a helping hand.

Gathering of Hearts—is a non-profit organization that helps families or individuals who need food, clothes, and shelter. “People are really hurting financially because of this recession, lost of jobs and income” GOH co-founder Ines Soto said. Gathering of Hearts receive phone calls all the time from people who want to help others in need. Photojournalist Wesaam Al-Badry, who lives in Nebraska wanted to document the living conditions of people in the Mississippi Delta, contacted Gathering of Hearts. He didn’t want to come empty handed; he packed his car with donations of socks, jackets, brand new comforter sets, clothes, cameras, shoes, and other items and headed down south.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

GOH made plans to distribute these items to the people from Fluker, Louisiana to the Mississippi Delta on Thanksgiving Day. Avrell Stokes just three weeks shy of getting his Master Degree at the University of Southern Mississippi in Public Health with an emphasis in policy and administration, volunteered his time to help distribute the donations and to learn more about poverty and what he could do to help eradicate poverty in the state of Mississippi.” I lived in Mississippi all my life and didn’t know that poverty exist to this extent, Stokes said.”

GOH would like to thanks photojournalist Wesaam Al-Badry, the Center for People in Need, and everyone who made contributions to this cause.

“If you would like to get involved, please contact Gathering of Hearts—we can use volunteers to help others in need, “ Soto said. Soto and Boston Mother Care founders organized their 3^rd Annual Women’s Winter Coat Drive for the women at Rosie’s Place in Boston, MA.  

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

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Poverty in Fluker, Louisiana

Poverty Hurts Everyone!

Lack of resources and economics can have a lifelong affect on children in poor communities. Our focus should be to provide empowerment programs to the underprivileged thoughout America. Rural towns throughout America often times lack the resources to help needy families and children. For the past four years I have been traveling to Fluker, Louisiana to talk with families there. I have met children with some of the most brilliant minds and children who are very creative with what little they may have. A new analysis released on September 28, 2012 by the bipartisan children's advocacy organization First Focus finds that child poverty in several states grew at rates more than triple the national average from 2010 to 2011. Children are becoming more vulnerable due to the economic crisis and the recession.

Photo courtesy of Roy Curtis

I spent years conducting genealogical research on my maternal side of the family in Amite, Louisiana. Now it was time to start conducting genealogical research on my paternal side of the family. My paternal research took me to Fluker, Louisiana. I wanted to go and see the place where my paternal family lived. I took Hwy 51 traveling south from Kentwood, Louisiana. I learned that Fluker, Louisiana is not incorporated as a town, although there is a Post Office located there. I drove around just to site see, basically looking for the old family homestead, the family church, cemetery and people who could give me a little oral history of Fluker, Louisiana and the people who live there. I didn't find a library, doctor's office, community center, park or any other center that would help empower the people who live there. What I did find is lots of poverty and houses that are in need of repairs. Without a community center or recreation center where would the local people get public information, social support or any other educational empowerment activities? In other states and communities you can find community centers, Christian community centers, Islamic and Jewish community centers that service the people and communities.

Community center can play a major part in building a strong foundation in the community development. It also can address the peoples needs, desires and aspirations. The community center can have a specific purpose by serving the entire community. It can provide education in the arts, free seminars, support networks, community activities, performing arts and provide a community meeting place. 

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

According to the Fluker, LA Demographic Information, the estimated population is 629. The Black population is 444, White population is 187, Hispanic population 8, Asian population 8, Indian population 2. The average household income is $12,188.00.

Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it make some virtues impracticable, and other extremely difficult. Samuel Johnson

According to the new poverty data by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 830, 000 Louisianans lives below the poverty line. " In 2010, Louisiana had the seventh highest poverty rate in the country, compared to the ranking eighth in 2009. The Governor of Louisiana made deep cuts to health cares, education and other vital services that family who are struggling depends on.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Photographs taken in Fluker, Louisiana. 

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