Mom Gets Back In Charge

By Rory McGlasson

When Ayanna Thomas was asked by the Mothers In Charge group if she would greet customers at Applebee’s for its second breakfast “Flapjack” fundraiser in Northeast Philadelphia, the Point Breeze native didn’t understand why she was needed.
She volunteered, though.
It wasn’t until 37-year-old Thomas was asked to collect the proceeds at the end of fundraiser that she realized why she was asked to make the trip from 15th & Reed to Roosevelt Boulevard.
It has been two years since Thomas let her demons get the better of her.
The mother of five is a former crack and heroin addict – now in charge of her own life.
“I owe it all to Mothers In Charge,” she said.
It might sound like an easy task – meeting and greeting customers – but given the responsibility of collecting the money was a defining moment for Thomas.
Two years earlier, Thomas admits, she stole anything from anywhere to feed her habit: from her mother, her grandmother, her children, convenience stores – you name it – she stole to feed her drug habit. The cycle lasted 15 years.
After an 11-month stint in state prison for theft, Thomas reentered society May 25, 2010 with a twofold mission: stay clean, and provide the right kind of home for her five children.
She found the Philadelphia-based Mothers In Charge nonprofit organization, located at 1400 N. Broad Street, in July 2010.
Two years on, Thomas’ children Shaneed 20, Khalkh 17, Deyana 16, and Nickai 6 (her “Apple”) live with her. Shonia, 21, her eldest, attends college. Thomas herself now attends Community College, where she is studying Behavioral Health.
“Our programs are geared to instill mothers with life-learning skills, resources to help make their lives a little easier,” said Mothers In Charge mentor Carolyn Cavanass.
“Some people really can change, and Ayanna Thomas is one of them,” Cavanass says.
However, Cavanass, who ,along with Community Liaison Officer Doris Saunders, organized the Flapjack funder last weekend, note because of state and federal budget cuts – and the economy – Mothers In Charge can only fund two of its three programs.
That said, under the tutelage of their director, Dorothy Speight, they have come up with a fundraising theme: “A short stack for a tall cause.”
This is the second Applebee’s “Flapjack” event held at 9400 Roosevelt Boulevard. More are planned around the City.
Applebee’s gives Mothers in Charge use of its facility from 8-10 a.m.
For $10, patrons get pancakes, sausage or bacon, coffee, tea – the works. Kids eat for $5.
“It’s a way for Applebee’s to develop a bridge for the community,” Cavanass said. They only charge for what is used. We bring our own kitchen staff and servers.”
In the kitchen volunteers Vicki Armstrong, Tatyanna Jackson, and Destiny Porter pick up orders. It’s busy in the kitchen. Other volunteers are parolees and volunteers from the Carson Valley placement center.
Doris Saunders, whose eldest daughter Shakia, 18, was murdered Jul. 31 2005 in East Germantown, has her niece Keyonna Saunders, 3, help her clean up tables. It’s a team effort. In the background, Cavanass hands a small envelope of money raised at the fundraiser to Ayanna Thomas.
“When you consider where I was recently – stealing money to pay for my drug habit – to be given the trust of collecting the money is a life-changing experience for me,” Thomas says. “Now I know why I was asked to come here today. Some people really can change.” /RORY McGLASSON/

MOM IN CHARGE AYANNA THOMAS gets a hug from her mentor Carolyn Cavanass.

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