William Singer, left, is interviewed by Pastor Maurice Graham, right, Wednesday afternoon at the TOPS Community Empowerment Center in Dothan.
By Lance Griffin
Published: January 28, 2009
Debra Thomas walked Kenneth Glasgow from room to room in the old Evergreen Plaza on North Lena Street, breaking down a big vision into chunks of attainable goals.“OK, this is where the computer lab is going to be,” Thomas said, pointing into a room consisting of a few computer parts on carts.She continues pointing and walking.“Now, we’re going to have computers in the classroom, but I want the lab available for people who need to come in during the day and use the computers, or learn computer skills.”Not much has taken place at the old office buildings since WAGF Radio moved out several years ago. But Glasgow wants to change the mostly vacant structure into “an oasis of learning,” complete with GED training, life skills classes, spiritual counseling, mentoring, job skills training and a recording studio lab of sorts.He shakes his head in agreement as Thomas continues to walk down the hall, assigning purposes for every room.“Yes. Yes. Yes,” said Glasgow, founder of a local social activist group known as The Ordinary People Society (TOPS). “I want to have something going on day and night.”Glasgow said the place will be known as the TOPS Community Empowerment Center, a place where people can come to better themselves emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.GED training classes are already being held at the center, and a GED pre-test is scheduled for next week. But Thomas said it’s just the beginning.“There are good things going on in the community and we want to build on that,” said Thomas, the center’s development director. “We have the soup kitchens in town and that is a good thing, but what we want to do is teach people to feed themselves.”Wallace College is also exploring the possibility of offering adult education classes at the center, Wallace spokesperson Sally Buchanan said.Along with the plans for counseling, classes and mentoring, Glasgow said one of the offices could be turned into a recording studio to allow interested residents to explore recording, as well as the marketing side of the recording business.People interested in taking advantage of the services offered can come to the center and fill out an assessment form that will determine the person’s needs.Thomas said she is seeking donations of equipment such as computers and school desks as well as volunteers with electrical and plumbing experience.
THANKS TO RON WILSON WE CAN EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE!!!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ALOT MORE WORK TO BE DONE
There’s more to be done!
Letters to the Editor
Published: November 19, 2008I don’t want anyone to get confused into thinking that since Barack Obama is the president-elect, everything is going to be all right. We have a lot of work to do, now more than ever. The racism and bias has and will become more prevalent. I just went through an ordeal yesterday continuing to fight for our voting rights. For some strange reason, even though a lot of us ex-felons voted, contributed and participated in gaining this monumental victory, we are still not treated or seated in a state of equality. I’m truly becoming convinced that our moral ethics and values have taken a dive in the wrong direction. We have no regard for fellow human beings and their rights. It’s amazing to me how we embrace a system that should’ve been set up to protect us and yet it has become our worst enemy. What have we become, and where do we go from here? Where are we when we have these progressive organizations that fight for human rights and ex-felons, but yet there’s not one of us who they supposedly represent on their boards to help in the decision making? They will hire us and give us a position, but not an equal seat at the table. Have we gotten to the point where we have become co-conspirators of our own oppression, or are we really ready to do what needs to be done? If so, then look at your own reservations and apprehensions when it comes to others. Look at your organizations or groups and see if they are really diverse. Look at your war chest and ask yourself have you really contributed all that you can to the issues you claim you’re fighting. Have you given all you can give to society and humanity? Most of all, have you been all that you can be in society, and allowed or given opportunity to others as much as you can so they can do the same? Because then and only then have you truly become a “humane being.” Kenneth Glasgow
Dothan
November 19, 2008 11:31 PM
Letters to the Editor
Published: November 19, 2008I don’t want anyone to get confused into thinking that since Barack Obama is the president-elect, everything is going to be all right. We have a lot of work to do, now more than ever. The racism and bias has and will become more prevalent. I just went through an ordeal yesterday continuing to fight for our voting rights. For some strange reason, even though a lot of us ex-felons voted, contributed and participated in gaining this monumental victory, we are still not treated or seated in a state of equality. I’m truly becoming convinced that our moral ethics and values have taken a dive in the wrong direction. We have no regard for fellow human beings and their rights. It’s amazing to me how we embrace a system that should’ve been set up to protect us and yet it has become our worst enemy. What have we become, and where do we go from here? Where are we when we have these progressive organizations that fight for human rights and ex-felons, but yet there’s not one of us who they supposedly represent on their boards to help in the decision making? They will hire us and give us a position, but not an equal seat at the table. Have we gotten to the point where we have become co-conspirators of our own oppression, or are we really ready to do what needs to be done? If so, then look at your own reservations and apprehensions when it comes to others. Look at your organizations or groups and see if they are really diverse. Look at your war chest and ask yourself have you really contributed all that you can to the issues you claim you’re fighting. Have you given all you can give to society and humanity? Most of all, have you been all that you can be in society, and allowed or given opportunity to others as much as you can so they can do the same? Because then and only then have you truly become a “humane being.” Kenneth Glasgow
Dothan
November 19, 2008 11:31 PM
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Coming Together in the Wiregrass
Maybe it's just me, but have anyone else noticed that the Wiregrass was always looked over or looked upon differently when it came to State issues and Funds. Now with issues that we've been pushing like ex-felon voting rights and Ron Gilley with Country Crossing, Dothan and the Wiregrass are being looked upon in a different light. When just approximately a year and a half ago we had to literally fight to get funds for Enterprise High School and had become the new Katrina ( on a small scale ).
It might just be time for all of us to use this opportunity to form some cohesiveness amongst ourselves and come together like we did for Enterprise and the children on Christmas Eve and realize that there's no big car dealerships and major corporations here like other places in Alabama.
So Country Crossing will open up doors of opportunity for ECONOMIC stability that I've never seen in the Wiregrass, how about you?
I met Ron Gilley some years ago when Katrina hit and him and his crew were helping the people down there while we were feeding folks. Then again when Enterprise got hit real hard and the poorest neighborhood was hurt. He rebuilded the houses and helped the people like the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. It did'nt matter that it was a Samaritan or how he got the money ( legally ) did it? The act of doing for God's people was enough for God to make sure we know the story!
So let's take note Wiregrass, because of some of these issues and others like mostly all the African Americans voting THE SAME WAY for Bobby Bright ( that's the first time that's ever happened also, Thanks Dr. Earl Jones ). We now have a Convention Center, and Empowerment Center to go along with our Civic Center and other help agencies ( thank you to Ron Wilson ), so it's only befitting that we have Country Crossing which would bring alot of Tourist, Celeberties, Opportunities, and Revenue to the Wiregrass who's been looked over and passed by for years. Then we can buy our cars from our new Mayor, Mike Schmitz and be like everyone else in Alabama.
Question: Could that be why it's being fought against by those outside the Wiregrass Hmm! but they did go against Sen. Smith so I'm not surprised.
Let's Come Together Wiregrass!
Pastor Kenneth Glasgow
Founder, Executive Director
The Ordinary People Society (TOPS)
403 West Powell St.
Dothan, AL 36303
Office / Fax: 334-671-2882
It might just be time for all of us to use this opportunity to form some cohesiveness amongst ourselves and come together like we did for Enterprise and the children on Christmas Eve and realize that there's no big car dealerships and major corporations here like other places in Alabama.
So Country Crossing will open up doors of opportunity for ECONOMIC stability that I've never seen in the Wiregrass, how about you?
I met Ron Gilley some years ago when Katrina hit and him and his crew were helping the people down there while we were feeding folks. Then again when Enterprise got hit real hard and the poorest neighborhood was hurt. He rebuilded the houses and helped the people like the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. It did'nt matter that it was a Samaritan or how he got the money ( legally ) did it? The act of doing for God's people was enough for God to make sure we know the story!
So let's take note Wiregrass, because of some of these issues and others like mostly all the African Americans voting THE SAME WAY for Bobby Bright ( that's the first time that's ever happened also, Thanks Dr. Earl Jones ). We now have a Convention Center, and Empowerment Center to go along with our Civic Center and other help agencies ( thank you to Ron Wilson ), so it's only befitting that we have Country Crossing which would bring alot of Tourist, Celeberties, Opportunities, and Revenue to the Wiregrass who's been looked over and passed by for years. Then we can buy our cars from our new Mayor, Mike Schmitz and be like everyone else in Alabama.
Question: Could that be why it's being fought against by those outside the Wiregrass Hmm! but they did go against Sen. Smith so I'm not surprised.
Let's Come Together Wiregrass!
Pastor Kenneth Glasgow
Founder, Executive Director
The Ordinary People Society (TOPS)
403 West Powell St.
Dothan, AL 36303
Office / Fax: 334-671-2882
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
TOPS hoping to make holidays bright for needy children, elderly
Photo
Jay Hare / jhare@dothaneagle.com
Jacob Williams and Anna Reynolds talk after Williams receives some food at Mama Tina’s House on Tuesday night. T.O.P.S. which sponsors the orginization will be sponsoring a variety of Christmas drives for local residents, including a drive to collect toys for the children of incarcerated parnts.
Jim Cook
Published: December 2, 2008
The Ordinary People Society is gearing up for Christmas, sponsoring programs to help needy children and the elderly during the holiday season.
TOPS is putting up an angel tree with the names of children of incarcerated or deceased parents and those whose families are in dire financial situations. The organization is also making up food baskets for the elderly.
Tina Glasgow, head of Mama Tina’s Mission House, said hard times have put an increased burden on charitable organizations this year.
“Yes, we fed more people in the past months than before and find more people in need of clothes (and) hygiene than ever before, and the homeless population has grown,” Glasgow said in an e-mail interview. “We strive to serve to deter the need to steal or engage in harm to another individual to survive.”
Local residents who wish to donate to TOPS’ Christmas programs can do so by bringing food or gifts to Mama Tina’s Mission House at 605 North Alice St. The organization is also looking for volunteers to help feed the needy and sort donations during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
TOPS recently participated with Love In Action ministries during the Thanksgiving holiday to deliver more than 350 meals to needy residents and to serve more than 200 meals at the mission house, Glasgow said.
TOPS got its start in 2001 in the parking lot of Wiregrass Commons Mall. The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow handed out Dante’s Pizza leftovers from the back of his mother’s car at closing time while doing outreach. Today, TOPS and Glasgow are involved in a number of activities including holding Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless and other activities.
Glasgow has become a nationally-known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, and helped lead a controversial effort during the 2008 election season to restore voting rights to convicted felons serving time in Alabama’s prisons.
She is putting up an angel tree with the names of children of incarcerated or deceased parents and those whose families are in dire financial situations. The organization is also making up food baskets for the elderly.
Tina Glasgow, head of Mama Tina’s Mission House, said hard times have put an increased burden on charitable organizations this year.
“Yes, we fed more people in the past months than before and find more people in need of clothes (and) hygiene than ever before, and the homeless population has grown,” Glasgow said in an e-mail interview. “We strive to serve to deter the need to steal or engage in harm to another individual to survive.”
Local residents who wish to donate to TOPS’ Christmas programs can do so by bringing food or gifts to Mama Tina’s Mission House at 605 North Alice St. The organization is also looking for volunteers to help feed the needy and sort donations during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
TOPS recently participated with Love In Action ministries during the Thanksgiving holiday to deliver more than 350 meals to needy residents and to serve more than 200 meals at the mission house, Glasgow said.
TOPS got its start in 2001 in the parking lot of Wiregrass Commons Mall. The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow handed out Dante’s Pizza leftovers from the back of his mother’s car at closing time while doing outreach. Today, TOPS and Glasgow are involved in a number of activities including holding Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless and other activities.
Glasgow has become a nationally-known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, and helped lead a controversial effort during the 2008 election season to restore voting rights to convicted felons serving time in Alabama’s prisons.
Photo
Jay Hare / jhare@dothaneagle.com
Jacob Williams and Anna Reynolds talk after Williams receives some food at Mama Tina’s House on Tuesday night. T.O.P.S. which sponsors the orginization will be sponsoring a variety of Christmas drives for local residents, including a drive to collect toys for the children of incarcerated parnts.
Jim Cook
Published: December 2, 2008
The Ordinary People Society is gearing up for Christmas, sponsoring programs to help needy children and the elderly during the holiday season.
TOPS is putting up an angel tree with the names of children of incarcerated or deceased parents and those whose families are in dire financial situations. The organization is also making up food baskets for the elderly.
Tina Glasgow, head of Mama Tina’s Mission House, said hard times have put an increased burden on charitable organizations this year.
“Yes, we fed more people in the past months than before and find more people in need of clothes (and) hygiene than ever before, and the homeless population has grown,” Glasgow said in an e-mail interview. “We strive to serve to deter the need to steal or engage in harm to another individual to survive.”
Local residents who wish to donate to TOPS’ Christmas programs can do so by bringing food or gifts to Mama Tina’s Mission House at 605 North Alice St. The organization is also looking for volunteers to help feed the needy and sort donations during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
TOPS recently participated with Love In Action ministries during the Thanksgiving holiday to deliver more than 350 meals to needy residents and to serve more than 200 meals at the mission house, Glasgow said.
TOPS got its start in 2001 in the parking lot of Wiregrass Commons Mall. The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow handed out Dante’s Pizza leftovers from the back of his mother’s car at closing time while doing outreach. Today, TOPS and Glasgow are involved in a number of activities including holding Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless and other activities.
Glasgow has become a nationally-known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, and helped lead a controversial effort during the 2008 election season to restore voting rights to convicted felons serving time in Alabama’s prisons.
She is putting up an angel tree with the names of children of incarcerated or deceased parents and those whose families are in dire financial situations. The organization is also making up food baskets for the elderly.
Tina Glasgow, head of Mama Tina’s Mission House, said hard times have put an increased burden on charitable organizations this year.
“Yes, we fed more people in the past months than before and find more people in need of clothes (and) hygiene than ever before, and the homeless population has grown,” Glasgow said in an e-mail interview. “We strive to serve to deter the need to steal or engage in harm to another individual to survive.”
Local residents who wish to donate to TOPS’ Christmas programs can do so by bringing food or gifts to Mama Tina’s Mission House at 605 North Alice St. The organization is also looking for volunteers to help feed the needy and sort donations during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
TOPS recently participated with Love In Action ministries during the Thanksgiving holiday to deliver more than 350 meals to needy residents and to serve more than 200 meals at the mission house, Glasgow said.
TOPS got its start in 2001 in the parking lot of Wiregrass Commons Mall. The Rev. Kenneth Glasgow handed out Dante’s Pizza leftovers from the back of his mother’s car at closing time while doing outreach. Today, TOPS and Glasgow are involved in a number of activities including holding Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless and other activities.
Glasgow has become a nationally-known advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, and helped lead a controversial effort during the 2008 election season to restore voting rights to convicted felons serving time in Alabama’s prisons.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Dothan Man Votes for First time since 1970
Published: November 4, 2008
Ussery Knight strolled into the polling place at Doug Tew Recreation Center on Tuesday.
It was just before 5 p.m. and the lines were down. Knight grabbed his ballot, cast his vote for Barack Obama, and walked out. It marked the first time he had been able to vote in almost 40 years.
The last time Knight, 62, had the right to vote, gas was 36 cents per gallon, the Dow sat at 839, “Patton” was the big movie at the box office and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” was beginning a seven-year run on television.
It was 1970. Knight doesn’t even remember who he voted for that year.
About two years later, Knight was convicted of manslaughter, a Class A felony. He said he only served probation, but the felony conviction meant he forfeited the right to vote.
“I didn’t think I would ever be able to vote again,” Knight said. “Funny thing is, I was just getting back from Vietnam, fighting for freedom.”
But recently, Knight was watching television when he saw the Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, founder of The Ordinary People Society, talking about the restoration of voting rights for ex-felons. Glasgow has mounted a crusade throughout Alabama to help ex-felons regain the right to vote.
Knight followed up with Glasgow and filled out the necessary paperwork. A few weeks later, his right to vote had been restored.
“It was really easier than I thought it would be,” he said.
Knight said he voted for Obama because “I saw him on television and liked what he said.”
Now, Knight said he plans to vote every election.
“If you don’t have the right to vote and can get that right restored, you need to look into it,” he said.
Ussery Knight strolled into the polling place at Doug Tew Recreation Center on Tuesday.
It was just before 5 p.m. and the lines were down. Knight grabbed his ballot, cast his vote for Barack Obama, and walked out. It marked the first time he had been able to vote in almost 40 years.
The last time Knight, 62, had the right to vote, gas was 36 cents per gallon, the Dow sat at 839, “Patton” was the big movie at the box office and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” was beginning a seven-year run on television.
It was 1970. Knight doesn’t even remember who he voted for that year.
About two years later, Knight was convicted of manslaughter, a Class A felony. He said he only served probation, but the felony conviction meant he forfeited the right to vote.
“I didn’t think I would ever be able to vote again,” Knight said. “Funny thing is, I was just getting back from Vietnam, fighting for freedom.”
But recently, Knight was watching television when he saw the Rev. Kenneth Glasgow, founder of The Ordinary People Society, talking about the restoration of voting rights for ex-felons. Glasgow has mounted a crusade throughout Alabama to help ex-felons regain the right to vote.
Knight followed up with Glasgow and filled out the necessary paperwork. A few weeks later, his right to vote had been restored.
“It was really easier than I thought it would be,” he said.
Knight said he voted for Obama because “I saw him on television and liked what he said.”
Now, Knight said he plans to vote every election.
“If you don’t have the right to vote and can get that right restored, you need to look into it,” he said.
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