Onie

2/22/2017

“I was in a 10-month spiritual formation group several years ago, and when we studied power and privilege, it was probably the first time I had seriously looked at those issues. I knew then what I should be doing. I moved into the neighborhood [Binghamton] at that time. For the first six years, we did everything out of my house, and then opened Caritas Village in 2006.

“My time with Caritas has changed me tremendously; it’s probably affected me far more than it has anybody else that we’ve worked with. With all the diversity in the neighborhood, it’s just really rich with relationships. The stereotypes we put on people who live in the inner city are very incorrect. I can’t imagine going through some of the things these people go through and coming out on the other side standing. So yes, it’s definitely changed me.

“I wasn’t ready to retire. I never thought I would, but my back doesn’t allow me to stand a lot anymore, and this place needed somebody with a whole lot more stamina than I have now. I really excited that Caritas is in Leslie’s hands now [Leslie Barker]. She will be able to take it much further than I was because she is an artist. I am just creative; I’m not an artist.

“I imagine I’ll always be connected with this place, unless they kick me out [*laughs*].