Last night I had the privilege of attending the General Synod Gala. The theme of the gala was "Re-Imagine" and it was discussing the importance of literacy and how it changes lives. Our keynote speaker was Antwone Fisher, an African-American man who was born into the foster care system as his mother was incarcerated. Antwone continued to grow up in the foster care system, however he was in a very abusive household, where his foster parents were simply interested in fostering as it paid the bills. He then described his experience as he was sent off to a boys school when he was 16, and when he graduated he had aged out of the foster care system. He was taken from the school by his social worker and was dropped off at the Cleveland YMCA, as he was an emancipated minor. He was then forced to take his well-being into his own hands. He proceeded to live on the streets of Cleveland among the hustlers, and it took him a while to get on his feet. He later proceeded to join the U.S. Navy, and Antwone Fisher spent 11 years serving his country. While he was in the Navy he was able to receive the emotional and social support required to reflect on his past. After his time in the navy he was approached by Sony pictures and a movie was made documenting his life. Unfortunately Antwone's story was cut short as we ran out of time at the gala, but not being able to finish the rest of his story has left me wondering, and I will be sure to watch his movie to learn more about his life, and I encourage all of you to do the same, as it's a very inspiring story.
Katie Howe
Third Congregational Church of Alstead, Alstead, NH
Cheshire County
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