“I didn’t want to live and I didn’t want to die,” the single mother said.
Galyon tried 12 drug treatment programs. But none worked until she discovered Past, Present & Future.
The faith-based organization is working to rid Middletown of drugs, alcohol and prostitution using tactics similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. The group is currently shooting a documentary called “For the Forgotten Souls” to show residents a firsthand look at the grip these ills have on the community.
“What we see on the streets we care about,” said Yusuf Polley, founder of the program. (Through the documentary) we hope we can reach out more and let people know what’s going on out in the streets. Hopefully, a change can be made.”
Polley and other program leaders are former addicts turned activists.
Angel Terk said the goal for the group is to take back the streets of Middletown block by block, even by going inside crack houses.
“We try to take our life experiences and help those that are suffering and give them the tools to change their lives,” Terk said. “We introduce God into their lives. Give them information to change and ... show them that just because they were or are addicts doesn’t mean that no one cares about them.”
Liz Wagner, 18, who began abusing prescription drugs at 15, and Galyon say the support helps. Galyon hopes to become an instructor to help others.
“I asked God how to get off the streets and He said: ‘You have to have a purpose.’ Helping prostitutes on crack (is her purpose),” she said.
Documentary crew to approach, engage people in the community
“Knowledge is power and knowledge can be the difference in life or death,” Malcolm X once said. This powerful quote has been the inspiration for the Past, Present & Future organization in Middletown.
Joseph “Yusof” Polley and Angel Terk are the founders of the Christian-based organization, which began filming a documentary “A City of Justice, A City of Love, and A City of Peace” on Monday, June 21. They expect the production to wrap up Sept. 6.
“We plan to approach people in the community,” Terk said. “We have no idea how it’s going to turn out.” Terk will hold what she calls the “itty-bitty” camcorder while Polley conducts the interviews.
Smacking people with the reality of the streets, the purpose of this movement is to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse. They said they will also focus on prostitution, relationships and emotional issues in the community, aiming to hear the voices of those in the area who are suffering.
“The homeless are suffering and people can’t find jobs or can’t go to school. There are people out there who want help, but can’t get it so they turn to their addictions,” Polley said.
The filmmakers hope to connect with other cities that are battling with the same issues in their communities.
Help and support have always been in the hearts of the duo who at one time, say they needed both from one another.
“We met while both attending an Alcoholics Anonymous Utility,” said Polley. “It started off as a group of us helping one another stay sober.”
At the AA meetings, they discovered that they shared the same religious beliefs. “We believed that God was the only way to help us remain sober,” said Terk.
The organization plans to focus on Central Avenue, among other streets, and visit Trailbridge, Wilbraham and the River Pointe apartment buildings.
Founded in 2007, the nonprofit drug and alcohol dependency program helps recovered addicts on an individual basis who deal with emotional and mental issues resulting from the dependencies.
The Christian-based program teaches recovering addicts to overcome their past by living confidently in the present while preparing for the future.
Terk and Polley are covering the costs to produce the documentary. They are looking for people who would like to tell their stories.
For more informaton about Past, Present & Future, call Liz Wagner (937) 514-1702 or visit pastpresentandfuture12.com or e-mail pastpresentandfuture123@yahoo.com.
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