URGENT
May 1, 2011
Rev. Patrick Hamrick
Chairman of the Board
Hearts with Haiti
Fountain Street Church
24 Fountain Street
Grand Rapid, MI
Grand Rapid, MI
Dear Rev. Hamrick,
Please respond immediately to my concerns about Michael Geilenfeld, Director of St. Joseph's Home in Port au Prince, Haiti (Hearts with Haiti). www.heartswithhaiti.org
Yesterday, I informed you that Geilenfeld and his assistant, Renee Deitrich, are threatening and intimidating a 21 year-old Haitian man who has just abandoned Geilenfeld's dance tour in the U.S. because he fears that he will be abused by Geilenfeld if he returns to Haiti. This man previously lived at the St. Joseph's Home when he was a minor.
The man is now being cared for by a family in Atlanta. The family has arranged for the man to be represented by legal counsel.
I told you to tell Geilenfeld and Deitrich to leave this man alone. I told you to tell them in no uncertain terms that they must not threaten, intimidate or attempt to contact this man in any manner.
Geilenfeld is a dangerous man. Unfortunately, Rev. Hamrick, you and your fellow Hearts with Haiti board members choose to keep your heads in the sand regarding sincere and substantiated concerns about the protection of children at the homes in Haiti that Geilenfeld supervises.
As an example, i have asked you repeatedly to make public the total number of child sex abuse allegations that have been brought against Geilenfeld. Instead of expressing concern for the safety of children, you have rudely ignored my requests for this important information.
Please confirm that you have received this message and are taking steps to keep Geilenfeld and Deitrich far away from the Haitian man who has decided to remain in the U.S.
Sincerely,
Paul Kendrick
Freeport, Maine
207 838 1319
_____________________________________________________________
Yesterday, I informed you that Geilenfeld and his assistant, Renee Deitrich, are threatening and intimidating a 21 year-old Haitian man who has just abandoned Geilenfeld's dance tour in the U.S. because he fears that he will be abused by Geilenfeld if he returns to Haiti. This man previously lived at the St. Joseph's Home when he was a minor.
The man is now being cared for by a family in Atlanta. The family has arranged for the man to be represented by legal counsel.
I told you to tell Geilenfeld and Deitrich to leave this man alone. I told you to tell them in no uncertain terms that they must not threaten, intimidate or attempt to contact this man in any manner.
Geilenfeld is a dangerous man. Unfortunately, Rev. Hamrick, you and your fellow Hearts with Haiti board members choose to keep your heads in the sand regarding sincere and substantiated concerns about the protection of children at the homes in Haiti that Geilenfeld supervises.
As an example, i have asked you repeatedly to make public the total number of child sex abuse allegations that have been brought against Geilenfeld. Instead of expressing concern for the safety of children, you have rudely ignored my requests for this important information.
Please confirm that you have received this message and are taking steps to keep Geilenfeld and Deitrich far away from the Haitian man who has decided to remain in the U.S.
Sincerely,
Paul Kendrick
Freeport, Maine
207 838 1319
_____________________________________________________________
| Patrick Hamrick | Executive Minister |
 | Rev. Patrick Hamrick has served FSC as its Executive Minister since February 2011. He joins Fred and Matthew on the FSC Executive Team and is responsible for: Operational integrity and compliance, including administrative staff oversight and employee policy compliance; Management and oversight of Stewardship and long-term financial development, including the Annual Campaign and on-going support for the Foundation; Newcomer, membership, and lay leadership oversight through supervision of the Beyond Sunday Shared Ministry Director, professional guidance of the Hospitality/Newcomer Ministry, and supporting program and ministry needs of lay leaders and groups in the Church; and internal and external communication management and oversight. A North Carolina native, Patrick graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and a certificate in Judaic Studies. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and served in Parish Ministry in Scotland and North Carolina for 19 years prior to his arrival in Grand Rapids. He is a Clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. For over 15 years he has been a Pastoral Care Specialist, (American Association of Pastoral Counselors). He is a 2010 graduate of the National Institute in Church Finance and Administration, (Candler School of Theology, Emory University), and will complete certification as a Church Business Administrator in 2012. In addition, Patrick serves as President of the Board of Trustees of Hearts with Haiti, Inc., a U.S. non-profit that supports the work of three homes in Haiti serving former street children, former child slaves, and children with special needs. See the website at www.heartswithhaiti.org. He frequently leads groups of short-term volunteers to Haiti and speaks just enough Haitian Kreyol to be dangerous! Patrick is married to Rev. Laura Beaver Hamrick. Their son, Dunn, is in elementary school. Patrick enjoys spending time parenting his son and supporting the arts, especially visual and performance arts. He has a special fondness for choral music and beautiful architecture. |
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