dimanche 8 mai 2011

Resignation from Board

To: John Unni

John,

If Hamrick, you and your fellow board members doesn't respond in a meaningful way to this question by the close of business on Tuesday, I will call upon you to issue a public statement in which you announce your resignation from the board of Hearts with Haiti.

The prolonged delay in responding to the question is insane.

This isn't a game of chess, it's about protecting vulnerable children.

Paul


Begin forwarded message:

Subject: Grand Rapids Pastor Protects Accused Child Molester with Silence - Aided in Effort by Lutheran Pastor in Suwanee, GA

We have just received word that Michael Geilenfeld has ordered staff members at the orphanages in Haiti to post photos of Haitian journalist, Cyrus Sibert, with the warning that no one is to speak to him.

For immediate release:

May 8, 2011

Rev. Patrick Hamrick
Chairman of the Board
Hearts with Haiti
Fountain Street Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dear Rev. Hamrick,

Eventually, our lobbying efforts to ensure that children are protected from physical and sexual abuse at the St. Joseph's group of homes in Port au Prince, Haiti will attract the attention of the press, media and worldwide child protection groups.

I am at a loss to explain why you and the Hearts with Haiti Board of Directors will not respond to this simple and reasonable question:

"How many allegations of child sex abuse have been brought against Michael Geilenfeld, Executive Director of the St. Joseph's Homes, during his lifetime."

This question has not appeared out of thin air. It is a response to published allegations of child sex abuse against Geilenfeld that have been brought forth in past news articles and letters of testimony.

I, for one, will continue to ask this question until such time as I am assured that children are safe and justice has been served.

At the very least, it will be noteworthy to learn just how many child sex abuse allegations an individual can have on his or her resume before you disqualify such a person from having access to children at your orphanages.

You have a choice, Rev. Hamrick, you can live in the problem or you can live in the solution.

Please answer the question.

Sincerely,
Paul Kendrick
Freeport, Maine
207 838 1319

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