SOBER THOUGHTS

By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
Associate Editor

As we prepared to go to press last Wednesday, September 6, 2006, The People’s Voice had the pleasure and privilege of meeting the young woman pictured, Ms. Kim Denmark from Dayton, Ohio.  She is the woman walking across America, and has traveled 15 states on foot.   She left her home more than 70 months ago, determined to walk across the country.
 
She is pictured here with her sign and flag, which she bears as she walks.  Her goal of walking across America is to dramatize the need for change as it relates to welfare reform, homelessness and poverty.
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Due to limited space, we did not feel that we could do her story justice in last week’s issue of The Voice, therefore, she is featured in the current  issue of The People’s Voice.  She is now walking across Georgia, en route to Alabama.  She has an amazing testimony,  and when she shares her testimony, both her passion and conviction can be felt. 
 
Denmark tells a story of growing up poor, but determined to be successful.  She opened up her own “temp service” in Dayton, and it soon grew to 35 regular temps working in assembly, clerical, hotel, and other service industries. 
 
“I was a  negotiator;  my  talent was making and closing deals… I went wherever I had to go to close a deal….The Country Club, The Golf Course, you name it, I went there.”  Within a short span of seven years, Denmark had managed to grow her “temp service” to a work-force of 500.   But her success transformed her spirit into one of haughtiness and arrogance. 
 
“I was nasty.”  Kim recalls.  “I showed off the money I made buying expensive cars, extravagant clothing, and looking down on the less fortunate.   I would walk down the street with thousands of dollars in my pocket, and see the homeless on the street, and throw my change at them…. 
I would drive my Mercedes up to the church on Sunday.  I’d get there early, so that everybody could see me and say, ‘That’s Ms. Kim Denmark ― she’s got it goin’ on.’  I’d clutch my favorite leather-backed bible under my arms, and I’d walk up in the church, and didn’t know a thing about Jesus.”  
 
But, in the midst of all of her success and financial wealth, she became ill, and was forced to take to the bed for 30 days. As her condition worsened, Kim knew in her heart that she was going to die; so, praying for the Lord to take her, she gave up on living.  Kim recalls with amazing clarity, the night God healed her body, just as she sensed that she was about to slip into the throes of death. 
 
Kim declares that as she felt herself slipping away, God showed her a “spiritual movie”of her life, wherein clear images flashed before her of herself as a successful businesswoman holding a handful of green money in one hand, and with the other hand, throwing some change at a homeless man.  She could see herself “pretending” when she attended church, walking around with a Bible she never opened.   As she was being overtaken by what she describes as a thick dark fog, that was smothering her to death, and sensed the breath leaving her body, she wept until the light of the Holy Spirit came and intercepted the process.  This is when a voice told her “Get up and walk.”  Kim recalls that when she stood, an amazing, intense heat permeated her body, moving from “the bottom of my feet to the top of my head.”
 
“That is the night God healed me, and forgave me.  The next morning, I left my home in Ohio with a heavy snow on the ground, and nothing but the clothes I was wearing and a make-shift sign.”  The first few miles were the hardest.  Kim says she shared her story with everybody she met.   She said as she continued her walk that first day, she started to wonder what she would to do next.  “Lord, where will I eat?”  “Walk!” the voice told her.  “Lord where will I sleep?”  Again, the voice said “Walk!” 
 
That first day, Kim recalls walking until dark when she encountered a blond-headed woman who had seen her story on the local news, and was touched by her plight.  The woman had driven to find her and bought her some food and a hotel room for the night.   “My thighs were burning so hot, my feet were blistered; but, (Thank You Jesus),  I ate;  I rested;  I soaked my feet and legs in the hotel trash cans; and prepared for the next day’s journey.” 
 
She’s been walking ever since. To date Kim has walked over 70 months and approximately 2,300 miles. She has completed 15 states (OH, IN, PA, MD, VA, WV, IL, NJ, NY, NC, SC, DE), and currently she is walking in GA.  “I am committed to completing the entire United States of America.”

Her goals include encouraging mothers on welfare to get off and become self sufficient with resources available in their city and state.   And, moreover, she has a plan for achieving this goal.   Kim says, “Although much assistance is available already, I feel fewer obstacles should be a factor in permitting qualified candidates to make this transition less stressful.”
 
In visiting some cities, she receives support of the Mayor, Governor, churches, businesses, organizations and the general public.  Her main focus is to visit the homeless shelters, soup kitchens, Human Services Departments, and other points of interest where she can receive documentation and hear live testimonies from the public.
 
As Kim traveled through South Carolina, she met LaTonja Dewalt, who resigned a $60,000.00/a year job to join Kim on her journey.  LaTonja now serves as Kim’s Personal Assistant, Security,  and P.R. Person.  “In this case,” LaTonja says, “P.R. doesn’t mean Public Relations, but “Praise Representative.”  LaTonja drives for Kim, patrols the highways as Kim completes her walk, assists with paperwork, mans the petition, and receives telephone calls on Kim’s behalf.  

As a practical matter, Kim’s goal is to obtain 1 million signatures on a petition, and to appeal to the United States Congress to initiate focus on America’s poor relating to good jobs, decent wages and for families transitioning from the welfare roles, in which some become homeless.

Although Kim is not raising money, her food and shelter come strictly from donations.
 
Kim hopes that you will receive her message, as she comes into your city in peace and leaves with hope. She thanks you in advance, and hopes you enjoy the experience of meeting her as she travels through the United States for the poor.  If she comes through your city, she would welcome the opportunity to fellowship with churches, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, city administrators, or other groups and organizations.  And if any group or organization would care to sponsor a reception or fund-raiser to help her complete her walk, she would receive any gifts with gratitude.
 
And if you happen to see her walking along the nation’s highways, please do not hesitate to offer her a helping hand.
 
The People’s Voice has pledged to serve as Kim’s official newspaper, tracking and chronicling her progress as she makes the journey.  We will post a Kim’s weblink on our site, and pledge to keep in touch with her on her journey across America. 

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Contents Of Kim’s Petition
 
To: US Congress

By signing the petition, I am granting my personal support to Ms. Kim Denmark in her walk across America for welfare reform, homelessness, and poverty. I, too, am endorsing Ms. Denmark’s efforts in approaching the United State Senate as a spokesperson on behalf of myself, and on behalf of so many American’s suffering from the plague of poverty. As a citizen of the United States, I do content that changes should be made, and more focus should be given to promoting new jobs, quality education and opportunity for economics and social stability. And, by signing, I state that I have been neither forced nor coerced into supporting such a cause. Therefore, please accept my signature as proof that I, along with so many fellow Americans, support Ms. Denmark’s walk across the great United States.

Thank you, and may heaven forever smile upon the listeners and the lawmakers who can make changes possible.
 
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Things Kim Needs To Complete Her Walk

Kim needs support to help her complete her walk across America.  We have listed here some of the items on her wish list.  Some of the items are desperately needed, others are things she says would be nice to have on her journey.  She says that if you find it in your heart to help her in any way possible, please consider providing any of the items listed below.
 
Kim’s Wish List:
 
Advance Lodging at a decent facility
Laptop Computer
Digital Camera
Cell Phone
A Van (Nothing Elaborate Or Fancy) So she can transport her equipment
New Balance Athletic Shoes (Size 10)
100% Nylon Jogging Suit (Bright Orange)
     Orange Represents The Prison Population  (80% of the Prison Population are people of Color)
A New Sign