T h e  T h o r n t o n s

The Thornton Family

May 2007

Left to Right:

Marquel

Charlie

Roosevelt ("Turk")

Alonzo ("Chip")

Anthonyione ("Annie")

 

Roosevelt Thornton was born and raised in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.  His mother was Creole Indian and his father was from Turkey.  His high cheek bones and blue eyes are signs of his heritage.  He is a Master Chef, and the last 29 years of his life he spent working as a Paralegal.  Two wives came and went, leaving him with 9 children to raise by himself.  All 9 children are grown and on their own.

 

When Roosevelt (or "Turk" as his friends call him), met Chantal and discovered that she had 6 children, he insisted that they move into his house.  Charlie was just a little baby, Anthonyione was 2 and Marquel was 4 years old at the time.  Bethany, age 6, lived with him as well, and Chantal's two older girls, Aleisha and Jacquemine lived with their Great Grandmother Clementine.  Baby Alonzo was born 3 weeks prior to hurricane Katrina.

 

Following Hurricane Katrina, the family was evacuated to San Antonio.  Chantal could not make a new life for herself, and returned to New Orleans.  The four youngest children (pictured above) live in San Antonio with Turk.  Because Chantal came from "Generational Poverty", the kids are now learning to live like "normal" kids.

 

Turk is 69 years old, his income is Social Security and SSI (Social Security Disability), which prevents him from having a job.  If he gave up his SSI in order to have a job, he would loose Medicaid for himself, and then would loose Medicaid and Food Stamps for the kids.  Daycare for four very energetic kids would be difficult and expensive, probably costing more than he could earn.  Because Turk did not utilize any Public Assistance programs in New Orleans, he does not qualify for Section 8, Low Income Housing, or any other assistance.

 

Marquel is very perceptive, and she has asked us several times where they would live if something happened to their Father.  She is very aware that they are in a precarious position because Turk's income is not enough to pay rent and cover the costs of raising four children.  It breaks our hearts that she is worried about where she will live when she should be enjoying the activities of a ten year old girl.

 

Turk loves these children as his own, and will do whatever it takes to keep the family together.

 

In answer to this family's predicament, St. John Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas, has agreed to help the Thornton family with their long term housing needs.  The plan is to purchase a house that the Thornton family can live in as long as they wish. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Angels and Quilt Pieces" will be donated

to the Thornton Housing Fund.  You can help by making a cash donation to this Fund.

Make your check payable to:

St. John Lutheran Church  with memo for Thornton Housing Fund

Mail it to:

St. John Lutheran Church

PO Box 1081

Boerne, TX 78006

Thank you!

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