One homeless family's story, and the community's response

The Post and Carrier.com recently posted an inspirational story on two young sisters winning a spelling bee despite the hardship of homelessness they were facing. Kalyn and Amy Lewis went on to win first and second place (respectfully) in Charleston, South Carolina’s spelling bee. This is another community perspective of how civic engagement and social responsibility support our lives. These two students were evicted from their homes two days prior to the spelling bee championship. Many community members or readers may ask questions such as: “how did they stay focused?”, “who are the parents?”, or “why were they evicted?” Stories such as this bring together emotions and reactions that can also be somewhat unpredictable. The examples of questions raised are very legitimate questions however I think that the core of the concern is the children involved. It’s a consensus that most agree that children are our future. I am not sure what percentage of our society’s children has the ability to overcome adversities such as the Lewis sisters did. In this case civic engagement aided the sisters and their family. After learning of the situation, a non-profit group called Pastors provided a home free of charge for six months. Other groups such as East Cooper Community Outreach, Charleston Trident Urban League, and the county's Human Services Commission provided utilities. Readers also donated more than $8500 in cash. The Mayor of the city also assisted in the aid of the family. Skeptics may ask: “Was the Mayor acting socially responsible or were his reactions for political gains?”

There were also adverse reactions and concerns to this story. Some members of the community are wondering whether or not the family will end up in the same situation after the six months of free-living ends. Kalyn and Amy are being raised by their single mother, who is responsible for a total of five children. It is also mentioned (not confirmed) that the mother didn’t finish high school. If this is the case, this supports the theory that lack of education serve as a barrier of preventing parents from being socially responsible in their homes. Another theory was confirmed as well; this family is without a father or husband in the home, in which the mother is the “all-doer and all-provider”. It is a parent’s social responsibility to provide the basic needs such as food and shelter for their children.

I raise the question as to whether the Housing Authority acted in a socially responsible manner? The story doesn’t reveal any statements or comments from the Housing Authority describing their reasons for the actions taken. If indeed the family member (the accused drug dealer) was barred from the property then the mother should not have allowed him into her house.

I think that many questions will continue to be raised as this story carries through however the facts are that Kalyn and Amy Lewis are exceptional individuals. Indeed children are our future and as sad as the situation of homelessness may be, I would certainly hope that all children be “injected” with the same dose of perseverance that Kalyn and Amy have.

Read Kalyn and Amy's story, and the community's response from the Post & Courier. 

Written by Adrian Lewis