Help Those who Help Others

Dear Friend,

The following article may have been read by many in the Chicago Sun Times recently. The young man who has come to the assistance of many has now encountered his own crisis. Many who assured him of their help, including Funeral Directors, have reneged on their public commitment and he has used all of his funds and is now being forced to move. Some donations were sent to him but the address in the news article was incorrect resulting in the correspondence, etc., going to the Post Offices Dead Letter Files (?). Some may have been returned to senders if there was a return address posted.

Deacon Charles Posey and a few others are seeking to help this young man reestablish himself and his lofty mission. Many times when we seek to do good and go out on our own with out consultation, we make mistakes and he has realized he needed advice and counsel, because on his own, the result has been his facing eviction and having to start all over.

Prayers are definitely needed as well as donations. Please contact him through Deacon Charles Posey at Chuckster224@earthlink.net, or

Aftermath Relief, Inc.

4638 South Cottage Grove, Box 34

Chicago, IL 60653

Please forward this to all your concerned friends who may be of some assistance.

********

In aftermath of tragedy, he's there

June 29, 2006

BY MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA Staff Reporter

When a fire claimed the lives of four children in Englewood in March, Lillie Harris didn't know where to turn.

There were the funeral and burials for her 6-year-old granddaughter Marlese Glenn and Glenn's sister LaShawn Harris, 2, to pay for -- not to mention the loss of her home and everything owned by this grandmother on a fixed income.

At the same time, Vinika Harvest was trying to wrap her mind around funeral and burial expenses for her own children lost in that fire, Dontrell Harvest, 8, and Tykia Harvest, 9.

Then 35-year-old Kirk Williams of Aftermath Relief Inc. knocked at the door.

"My sister said some man was saying he would handle the aftermath, that he would pay for the funerals," said Michelle Harvest, the children's aunt. "I was like, 'Yeah, right.' He didn't look like he had much. I'm like, 'How's this lone man going to do all that?' But lo and behold, this angel stepped in and did just what he said."

Williams, a smallish, soft-spoken man whose every conversation turns to God, has just as quietly intervened in the wake of tragedy for 81 families since starting his not-for-profit organization nine years ago in Chattanooga, Tenn.

'That's when I found my calling'

The son of a Chicago minister, the native South Sider found his calling in 1996 after a tornado in Chattanooga came out of nowhere and took everything he had but spared his family, which had huddled in a hallway. It was Easter 1996.

"We just prayed in that hallway, and God was blessing. The whole house was destroyed except for the hallway," said Williams, of North Kenwood. "That's when I found my calling. I get people to donate what families need. I do a lot out of pocket. We don't have to be the Red Cross to help when we have the means. It starts with one."

Since coming back to Chicago in 2003, Williams has helped 12 families here who have suffered losses in tragic fires on the South and West sides. He provides help with funerals or food and furnishings, clothing and temporary housing.

He surfaced again this week to assist a father who lost his wife and child in a tragic weekend fire in Roseland.

"He has a passion for helping people," said the Rev. Michael Randle, pastor of Mission of Faith Baptist Church in Roseland. "He's helped several of my members when they needed it. I know him to be a young man who just seems to be very, very driven and motivated by the good samaritan attitude."

'This young man just steps in'

When Aftermath isn't helping a family, Williams works as a barber and runs a small moving service with his truck.

Those who have worked with Aftermath say that, like that tornado, Williams just shows up and makes a commitment.

"He's gotten me involved to donate my funeral services several times, with only his word that he'll come up with the money," said retired state Sen. Howard Brookins, owner of Brookins Funeral Home at 9315 S. Ashland. "It really hurts when it's kids who lose their lives in these fires. It's triply difficult when the conditions people are living under is hard, and they have no funds. This young man just steps in to get these families whatever is needed."

Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th) also found Williams' commitment contagious.

"I saw how hard this young man was working, and how sincere and dedicated he is to what he does, so our community opened our hearts, and I opened my church to assist in his efforts," said Coleman, who donated the funeral repast for the four children.

Williams shrugs off the commendations, saying he is only doing what God asks him to do and hopes others will help.

"I know how difficult it was to get help in my own aftermath 10 years ago," he said. "I want to make sure help is there."

Donations may be sent to Aftermath Relief Inc.,4638 S. Cottage Grove Box 34, Chicago 60653. Or for more information, call (312) 972-1810.

To see the Suntimes Article "Online" --- CLICK HERE ---