Tina Slaughter

"I Love a Parade allows me to be me! I am not judged or condemned for mistakes. I have found self-worth and accountability. Art has given me freedom of expression and showed me endless possibilities. I now have a job, a home and loving friends. I am currently attending college doing art and other things. Life has improved tremendously since beginning my journey with I Love a Parade. (Tina will be leaving our program soon but she will always be with us)."

Patty McComb

"Wow, I have no clue why I’ve been chosen to be an artist at I Love a Parade. I honestly didn’t think I would be able to be around others with issues ever again. I Love a Parade has provided me with the chance to be myself in a positive way and to be a better role model to my loving daughters. I can’t believe that I look forward to coming here daily! Thanks, I Love a Parade."

Lucy Cameron

"I Love a Parade is truly saving my life! Through all of my attempts and struggles with my sobriety, they stand by me and support me. I am starting to take pride in my sobriety, and loving myself and others. I really like coming to work and creating and selling my art. I am a member of the Board of Directors. Growth and sobriety are wonderful, positive things. I truly love I Love a Parade."

Sharda Madison

"Wow, my life has been a mess. I grew up with drugs and abuse so I ended up the same way. I used drugs, prostituted, and a whole lot of other things that was messing me up. Then I had my own daughter and knew I wanted something different for her. I Love a Parade was just the thing I was looking for. I have learned how to communicate better and I have women that I can talk with who understand me. I am learning to be a better parent and I am a stronger person with more positive things happening in my life. I have an apartment, a job, a community and I love creating art!"

Cindy Arnold

"I Love a Parade is a wonderful program. It helps women who are already having a hard time dealing with life, problems, homelessness and sometimes mental issues and low self-esteem. Sandra is not only the director but she's a friend. She makes going to work an exciting place to be. You wake up wanting to go and do artwork. She tells you how good your work is. Going to art fairs and seeing my artwork sell is the most fulfilling thing in the world. It helps to have something to look forward to. It makes me feel I fit somewhere rather than being nothing."

*Cindy has entered college, majoring in human services. While she no longer works with us, she is still a very important part of our community.

LaTonya McIntosh (proud "graduate" of I Love a Parade)

"I was first on the streets when I was only fourteen. My earliest memory is one of my parents arguing. One of my most traumatic memories was when my father shot into the house with 6 bullets, one for my mom and one for each of us kids. I left the house after that, but I found the same violence on the streets where I became dependent on crack-cocaine. I turned to prostitution and drug dealing to support myself and my habit.

When I first came to I Love a Parade, I didn't have much of a work ethic. However, as my creativity grew, a new confidence emerged. I Love a Parade helped me discover this. I now have a new full-time job, a great place to live and I have 8 years of sobriety."

* LaTonya completed our program and was working as a home care provider. When we received a special grant to hire one of the women who had been with I Love a Parade as an artist to be our community liaison. We jumped at the chance to bring LaTonya back. She now works for us on a permanent basis.