Macon, GA

He had been a good worker at the Bargain Center

I’ve been at the mission long enough to have seen some residents leave and return. I remembered Walker from a few years back. He had been a good worker at the Bargain Center.

This time, he came to my office after a few days and asked for my help. He had been stopped in Atlanta and found that there was a warrant for him in Bibb County. He was ready to face it – but he wanted me with him.

We headed up to the courthouse. We talked along the way, and we kept talking while we waited in the lobby for a warrant officer. His oldest son had just graduated from high school. He and his friends had gone to the prom in a limo.

They called his name, and we went in. We found that Walker had stopped going to his probation officer. When that happens, a warrant is issued. The warrant officer said we could see a probation officer right then, right there. I looked at Walker. He nodded yes.

When they called him, the receptionist at first wasn’t going to let me in. She asked who I was, and I told her I was with the mission where Walker was staying. She called the probation officer and he must have told her to let me in.

First question for Walker was, “Where have you been?” He answered (truthfully), “Well, you know, I’ve been on the streets.”

The officer turned to me and said, “If you weren’t here, I would send him to the LEC (jail).” Then he made arrangements for Walker to resume his probation.

Walker was relived, of course. I was, too. But more than that, I was proud that court officers and law enforcement officers know who we are and respect what we do. They consider us partners.

Thanks for helping make our community a better place by supporting the mission.

Dave Wallace
Executive Director
The Macon Rescue Mission
478-743-5445

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