A Grandmothers Choice

by Nevada Blake
(1424 canfield ave,dayton oh)

My name is Nevada Blake and I am a grandmother of 3 wonderful children. They each have their special talents but they all share an equal loss.

In 1995 my only child was murdered by her police officer husband in a domestic dispute. The City of Dayton fired him from his position as crime investigator from the force, but they refused to prosecute him for the crime he committed.

My grand children became my children and I and my husband immediately went to court to obtain custody of them. They have been through counciling and been given lots of love on a daily basis, but the scars of their mothers death has taken a toll on them.

Now Sierra is 17 years old, Amira is 18, and Demetrius is 15. Amira moved out when she turned 18 and she visits every weekend. Sierra is still in high school here in Dayton, Ohio and Demetrius is in a bible based boarding school in Piedmont, Missouri.

The scars of losing his mother left him angry, looking for companionship in the wrong places.

He joined a gang here in Dayton and was put out of public schooling in Ohio. I begged for a lighter sentence, but to no avail. My sister in Canton, Ohio kept DJ for about 5 months where he was doing extremely well in a local magnet school.

Soon DJ was in trouble again seeking the friendship of gang affiliates. My sister called me with this grim news and I had to act fast. I went on line looking for a school that we may be able to afford.

I called so many schools and found ABM Ministries in Piedmont, Missouri. They listened to my story and came down on the cost of schooling for my DJ.

I paid $1500.00 down and $1500.00 when he would arrive. That was $3,000.00 dollars I didn't have and no idea where I was going to get it, let alone paying $1500.00 a month until he becomes 18 y/o.

I prayed to God and borrowed from my husbands and my retirement funds to make the initial $3,000.00 payment.

It has been two years now that DJ has been @ ABM Ministries and he is doing so much better. He is 15 y/o and just entered highschool. His GPA is 3.0 and he loves school.

We write often because I cannot afford to visit him and continue to pay for his schooling. Every month I pray that I can make it, and I have had only 3 months where I had to call the school and ask for late fee allowances.

The school leaders are so kind Mr. Larry and Mr. Reed as they care the future of my grandson and so many others.

If anyone who has a heart for kids would you help me with DJ's school fees I really would appreciate it. This is the address of his school: ABM Ministries, RR3 Box 34725, Piedmont, MO 63957.

God bless you for all you do on our behalf, Sincerely, Nevada Blake, 1424 Canfield Ave,Dayton, Oh,45406