By Bill Franz of Most Metro
I have been working to get photos from each of Dayton’s 66 neighborhoods for a show that opens April 2 at K12 Gallery and TEJAS (341 South Jefferson). The last neighborhood on my list was Mount Vernon. There I met Carmen Gooden, co-founder of The Linda Vista, Inc. (1011 Linda Vista Avenue).
Carmen and a partner bought and refurbished an 11 unit apartment building. Carmen knew from her own history that childhood sexual abuse can lead to a life filled with bad choices. She filled her building with women who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and are homeless and are ready to make the changes required to get their lives back on track.
Each of the women and their children lives in a fully furnished apartment for up to 2 years. They work with a caseworker to develop a self-sufficiency plan. Carmen says her program “replaces the negative, complacent mindset that often accompanies a lifestyle of poverty and homelessness with a mindset that supports success and self-sufficiency.”
Count me as a fan of Carmen and her work. You can expect more photos from Linda Vista.
