Both The Wall Street Journal and Commercial Appeal referred to my older sister, June Mann Averyt, as a “grumpy Mother Teresa”. June died of cancer in 2016. At her funeral a stranger approached me saying, “If not for your sister, I would’ve froze to death.” That’s a statement that sticks with you.
June began working with the homeless while living in New York City in the 1980s. An outspoken advocate for the homeless for more than three decades, she raised awareness about things I’d not thought of.
She really worried about the sexual assault of women sleeping in the woods. June insisted that homeless people need safe, permanent shelter. She also pushed for mental and physical health care.
When a newly housed resident of Eden Village in Springfield, Missouri, was interviewed, she said, “If you weren’t mentally ill before you were homeless, you will be after the experience.” Google Eden Village for inspiration and ideas.
Thank you to all the organizations in the Chattanooga area that are trying to provide safe, permanent housing, and trauma treatment to those who’ve fallen on hard times. Newly housed citizens also need opportunities to make contribution. Check out Hippy Feet in Minneapolis.
Louise Mann
Signal Mountain