BackLook: The solitary 40-ish woman trudged one very cold night down Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach, only a few miles inland from the Atlantic. In one hand that extended downward, she lugged two water jugs; with the other she carried a four-month-old baby. Alone. That’s what she was, until a neighborhood couple pulled over and offered help.

That afternoon, Donny Poole climbed into the backseat of his car so that his wife could drive the wary woman and her nursing baby home.

Donny and Allison Poole; Photo Credit: Kelly Jadon

Moving away from an abusive boyfriend, Sheila* had arrived in Florida expecting shelter in her aunt’s empty apartment and use of her car. But the homeowners’ association did not allow anyone under 50 to reside within their gates.

Sheila managed to find a room to rent, but still had no car. No car, no work. And no work meant a government agency crawling down her neck threatening to take away little Joey*.

Donny and his wife Allison continued to give Sheila lifts when they found her traveling by foot. Eventually, the couple fronted the single mother the price of a used car. Today, Sheila’s baby is still safely residing with her.

Homeless families are a rising problem in the United States. Homeless Children America (an affiliate of American Institutes for Research) reports that during the course of a year, 1.6 million children are homeless. In Florida, where the Pooles reside, the number of homeless children is 83,900. Causes of homelessness include poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, low-paying jobs, lack of affordable housing, mental illness and the lack of needed services, substance abuse, and prisoner re-entry. The Pooles have demonstrated through their act of love that it doesn’t always take much to make a difference.

Donny Poole is a welcome name inside the boxing ring. A welterweight, Donny took Gold in the 1979 Canadian Winter Games. Afterward in 1980, representing his native Canada, he was chosen to participate in the Olympics (USSR) as an amateur, until all free countries chose to boycott the Games. So instead, Donny turned pro. For 16 years he fought all over the world, achieving a rank of #2 in the world. Donny Poole is a member of the Boxing Hall of Fame. His gloves and belts hang proudly on a trophy wall in his home.

Allison Poole is a former art and creative director at New York City ad agencies. She met Donny when he came to NYC to fight. As he was unable to negotiate his way around the subway system quickly, Allison was appointed his ambassador. Twenty-nine days later Donny asked Allison to marry him. They have been married 30 years.

Together they have helped many hard-up people in need: purchasing clothing, shoes and sunglasses for a homeless man; paying the vet bills for an indigent man’s dog; and one time Donny gave the coat he was wearing to a man without one in the cold NYC winter.

Allison states, “I would like people to know they can do what we do; if they see something that needs attention, do not assume the person, or family, or child, or dog, will be taken care of by someone else. It is a chance for them to do something. Step up and make a difference in another person’s life. If they see someone at the grocery store and they are short some money, forced to pick items out to bring the tally down – step up and pay the person’s bill. If an old person can’t dig up any more change from the bottom of their bag at the pharmacy – stand up and pay the price difference – or all of it for that matter. It is common decency. A pure act of selflessness. The kindness you provide will make you feel great and bring pure joy to the person you have helped. Let’s all remember, ‘There but for the grace of God, go I,’ and do something about it.”

To many, Donny and Allison Poole are a very unusual couple. They have given money, furniture, their time, and their love to those in need. It isn’t fame that makes a difference, nor is it money. It is the heart. Today in Florida, a child was saved. Truly those who help another in need are our Hometown Heroes.

*Names changed to protect the mother and child

HAVE A HERO TIP? Hometown Heroes are in every town and city. They are regular people who have made a positive difference in their community impacting others for the better. Send your Hometown Hero tip to Kelly Jadon kfjadon@gmail.com

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Hometown Heroes: Enabling Youth With Disabilities To Job Carve

© 2013 "Hometown Heroes" Kelly Jadon

Diagnosis of learning, developmental, and intellectual disabilities in the United States has come a long way since the 1960s when inroads first began with treatment, therapy and medication. Autism, a word relatively new to our culture, denotes a whole spectrum of disorders. Yet, it is the fastest-growing disability, now at 1 in every 88 births (CDC). Autism spectrum disorders alone affect 1 to 1.5 million Americans. We as a community wonder what can we do to help these children. Experts in special education, like Conney Dahn, have found a way to help our young people with disabilities find a place in their communities.

Craig Wallace, age 27 –Volunteer Asst with Conney Dahn; Photo Credit: Kelly Jadon

For more than 30 years Conney Dahn has worked with high school and post-high school youth with disabilities. As Teacher of the Year for the State of Florida, she traveled as a speaker and authority in her field, including a trip to Washington DC where she was honored by the President. Most recently, she has been invited to set up her program for young adults with disabilities, known as Enable, for the community in Dothan, Alabama.

How is Dahn helping place special needs youth usefully into the community?

Conney Dahn answers, “No babyfied curriculums. Adults should not be sitting around coloring. Age-appropriate programs relevant to educational needs must be utilized. Special needs youth need to have their skills regularly reinforced, otherwise they are quickly lost.” Dahn’s Enable program runs through the summer and focusses on what’s missing in the academic setting: more independence.

When asked what holds these young people back, Dahn retorts, “We do!” She adds, “Many people who work with people with disabilities have no vision for their students’ futures. They do not believe that these kids can really function and work in society. I believe there’s a place for them though.” (Prior to the recession, 90% of Dahn’s high school graduates found jobs.)

Today, less employment is available to those with special needs. However, volunteer work tied with skill learning can still be added, which can later segue into paying jobs. Dahn comments, “We have a class at the high school level called ‘Career Experience.’ It allows the students to go into the community during the school day to learn skills in the workplace. We need businesses to open their doors to teach our youth with disabilities job skills. These young people love jobs such as cleaning tables, rolling silverware, vacuuming, and making copies, which gives other employees more time to focus on their jobs. They are excellent employees because they are dependable and love to work. This process is called job carving, and it begins with a chance to be an unpaid worker.”

In Jensen Beach, Florida, where Dahn is a high school teacher, the financial problems resulting from Medicaid waiver cuts affect over 700 people. What do we need? Awareness. After age 22, these youths exit high school, and receive no governmental funding unless they receive the Medicaid waiver. Without funding, they receive no job training, no community involvement, nothing! After 22 years of preparing for work, they have to go home and sit.

Every community has small businesses which need help during this economic crunch. Please, open your business to support people with disabilities through the ‘Career Experience’ program in local high schools. As businesses help youth with disabilities with on-the-job training, they can help themselves. And so, I select Conney Dahn as a Hometown Hero – a woman who knows how to love, educate, and find jobs for those who are special people.

To contact Conney Dahn with questions or about setting up an Enable program in your community, email her at: ccdahn@comcast.net

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Hometown Heroes: Boxer Donny Poole And His Wife Allison