News
"ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF SVDP CLIENT:
DENISE ROACH - CREATIVE WRITER AWARD"
By Cynthia
Wyman, Vincentian and Housing Committee Member
September 15, 2003
Poor people don't get many telephone calls bearing good news. So it was surprising and exhilarating when Denise Roach received a call a month ago informing her that her creative writing from her fall 2002 Achievement Program at the West Oakland Counseling Center had been chosen as outstanding. Her rare gift for writing - chronicling her experiences and observations living in poverty was acknowledged and encouraged by her teacher.
The writing teacher made arrangements for Denise to pick up a Safeway award certificate for her achievement. However, when arriving at the store no certificate was ready for her. Instead the world renowned author, Maya Angelou, having been made aware of Denise's talent by another Bay Area writer, publisher and mutual friend of the teacher, was there to meet her. Maya told Denise that her writing made an important statement worthy of publication and that she wanted to help her. Denise was invited as Maya's guest to a writers' conference and made arrangements to assist her in preparing to be published.
Less than a year ago, Denise and her teenage children were destitute and homeless. Through St. Margaret Mary Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a room was located and deposit, rent, food and furnishings were paid for by the Society. Vincentian Cynthia Wyman of St. Margaret Mary met with the family members. She felt there was something compelling and innocent about them "in spite of a rough life of poverty." Incredibly all their material belongings fit in a few grocery bags but they had no shortage of hope and dreams for the future. Denise possessed high ideals and strong morals, and urged her children to achieve in school. Her daughter Sanduya made honor roll and was recognized as a scholarship candidate. Her son Noble so impressed his instructors he was offered high school completion at Mills College.
Still Denise struggled with Welfare benefits, a lack of work, and inadequate housing. In early August, Denise read excerpts from her work at the writers' conference to a standing ovation. Now she has an editor and her life is a whirl of offers to do readings and make arrangements for publication. Her telephone hasn't stopped ringing.all calls bearing good news!