O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

I’m an Ivy League graduate. I’ve been a soldier,  police officer, and a teacher. I’m a former Liberty House resident. Recently I’ve been having problems. I went to Liberty House for help.

Liberty House has changed a lot, for the worse. The staff was unfriendly, aloof, and condescending. They laughed and talked with each other, but in my presence the enthusiasm waned.

I was a ghost, invisible, insignificant,  meaningless, untouchable, a zero, a nothing,  like I didn’t exist. A staff member talked to me very briefly. She said she called me for two months,  never received my email,  and she would call me in a few days. My electronic evidence shows that her statements are false. She couldn’t wait to get rid of me.

The Liberty House is more like a prison now. Rules for increased social control and bureaucratic procedures have been implemented.  In-take is more like prison in-processing or a police booking. There’s no Liberty here.

The non-veterans are unwelcome. The resident veterans are lifeless,  expressionless,  like zombies. It was good to see “The Admiral.”  He is the heart and soul of Liberty House, he’s the heartbeat,  he makes the whole thing run. When he leaves, so will Liberty House.

I left Liberty House without the help I needed. The magic and energy cultivated under the former director’s regime was gone. The house was a ghost.

Beg to differ? Agree to disagree? Send your topical, signed and verifiable submissions to carolrobidoux@manchesterinklink.com, subject line, The Soapbox.

Daniel Smith is a former Liberty House resident.