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Woman Forms Organization To Help Wives Cope With Incarceration
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The number of men incar- cerated in the penal system is a topic of discussion for many. But, in most cases, there are wives, children, par- ents, and siblings who, in essence, are sentenced as well.
However, many of these individuals choose not to talk about their incarcerated loved one for fear of being judged, negative comments, and in some cases, being shunned.
Last year, Mrs. Mar- garetta Taylor founded “Husbands Behind Bars, How
Do You Cope?” to help the wives of incarcerated men. “I started it because society just doesn’t understand.
She said she formed the organization because the wives who stand by their hus- bands need support and en- couragement.
“This is not something that you tell others. Some women get depressed, some have even committed suicide. We are reaching out to them to let them know that there is someone who does under- stand.”
Since its inception, the or- ganization has attracted women from throughout the
MRS. MARGARETTA TAYLOR ... Founder of Husbands Behind Bars,
How Do You Cope?
country. Utilizing the Face- book, Mrs. Taylor said they have early morning prayer on Mondays and Thursdays that begins at 5:55 a.m. and ends at 6 a.m., as well as posting Scriptures to provide moral support for each other.
“This is a sisterhood of en- couragement and support. We understand the retalia- tion, rejection, and everything that comes from supporting husbands while they are in- carcerated. We also offer sup- port to wives whose husbands have been recently released from prison.”
Their meetings take place on a conference line and they
wear tee shirts bearing the or- ganization’s name. Recently, the ladies came together for “Me Time,” to fellowship. This fellowship is designed to draw strength from each other in a relaxing atmosphere.
Mrs. Taylor selected the rose as the symbol of the or- ganization because each rose represents a life that is price- less, can be very fragile, and delicate.
To learn more about the organization, visit Husbands Behind Bars, How Do You Cope on facebook. You can contact Mrs. Taylor by email at husbandsbehind- bars2015@gmail.com.
West Tampa Residents Attend Meeting On Redevelopment Plan
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On last Tuesday night at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in West Tampa, a packed house attended a meeting hosted by the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) and City of Tampa.
The meeting was held to present the redevelopment plan to the public for the West Tampa area, including the North Boulevard Homes prop- erty.
It was also announced that the redevelopment boundary had been extended to Armenia Avenue.
Those in attendance asked questions about the proposed project, including whether or not THA had secured the grant they need to start redeveloping North Blvd. Homes.
It was also revealed that the four schools in the develop- ment area Dunbar Elemen- tary, Just Elementary, G. V. Stewart Middle School, and Howard W. Blake High School
along with the residents, were WestTampacommunitylead- ers: Ms. Ruth McNair, Dr.
Margaret Fisher, Brenda Lindsay, Heem Baisden, and Abeba Sauter Woods.
Tampa Housing Authority C.O.O., Leroy Moore, ad- dresses the crowd at the MLK Center.
would not be impacted by the development project. How- ever, the plans did indicate the existing Yellow Jackets Little League field would be relo- cated just east of G.V. Stewart on Spruce Street.
One point of interest dis- cussed during the meeting was plans to relocate the existing MLK Center where it will be accessible from Rome Avenue instead of Oregon. It was also revealed that part of the plan will call for at least two new roadways to be constructed, going east and west, to provide better access to the nearby Hillsborough River, and pro- posed docks and condomini- ums.
A 5-story senior center has been designated for the corner of Main Street and Rome Av- enue, along with a major gro- cery store.
Leroy Moore, T.H.A. Chief Operating Officer, told those in attendance that about 200 people are still living in N.B. Homes, and any residents still living there in August will be relocated to the Robles Park Public Housing Complex.
Moore told those in atten- dance that a lot of jobs will be created as a result of the rede- velopment plan, and also a business incubator will be a part of the plan.
Attending the meeting,
Joe Robinson asks a question about the project during the pres- entation.
West Riverfront Neighborhood Association President, Ms. Ruth McNair (right), and Vice President, Delphine Jones.
The MLK Center was packed with West Tampa residents and community leaders.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016