Help Vanessa get a place of her own.

Hi, West Milford High School friends. This is Jack Whritenour.

One of our classmates, Vanessa Simchera (WMHS Class of '89), is in need of help. After a long struggle with a number of chronic debilitating illnesses, she is currently living out of one room in a trailer in Tenessee with a man who abuses her and steals her Social Security/Disability. Vanessa receives no help from family members from whom she is essentially estranged. She cannot drive, and often misses important doctor's appointments, and goes without her medications, because she has no way to get to the doctor's office or the pharmacy. I have been talking to her for several months, and I am endeavoring to

move her to Upstate New York into a safe apartment where she will have access to doctors, the hospital, the pharmacy, the grocery store, and whatever else she needs. I have helped her with food deliveries and bills many times. An apartment has become available for her here in Herkimer County, NY, not far from me. I will go down to Paris, TN to get her and bring her up here to her new home where she will be away from abuse and the real threat of homelessness (this man threatens constantly to throw her out even though she pays ALL the rent), and, I fear, eventual death. I cannot stress enough the seriousness of this situation. I have used discretionary funds from the church where I am the parish priest, as well as my own funds, but I am almost tapped out. I will fly to Nashville, TN on Sept. 14, and then rent a UHaul van and drive Vanessa and her belongings to her new home. I am hoping to raise $1,000 to cover my flight, the rental van, and very modest hotel accommodations for one night (separate rooms, of course) for trip way home. What remains I will use as seed money to get Vanessa set up, stock her cabinets with food, and buy her some personal items. After that, she should be okay. This will be the start of a new life for her--hopefully, a good life--because right now she is suffering and destitute. I am asking your help for Vanessa. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless you!

Fr. Jack Whritenour+

Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Little Falls, NY