HFP’s warm response on a cold day

August, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of Humanity for Prisoners. This is the second in a series of reflections essays by founder Doug Tjapkes.

 

It was a typical Michigan winter day. Latitia, a young single mother from Benton Harbor, was being released from Women’s Huron Valley, our state’s only prison for women, located in Ypsilanti. 

A prison van delivered Latitia to the Greyhound station in Ann Arbor where she would board a bus for the ride to her hometown. The moment she stepped out of the van it was gone. She stood alone on the curb with no coat, no boots and no way to stay warm. Then things turned from bad to worse. The ticket agent informed her that, due to blizzard conditions, her bus trip to Benton Harbor had been canceled. 

Where to go? What to do? 

Latitia spotted a nearby shelter for women. It was there that she found heat and a telephone. She could remember only one telephone number: that of Humanity for Prisoners. 

Laticia was not only an HFP client, but a personal friend, as I will explain in a moment. She gave me her tale of woe in that memorable telephone call. Not sure how or if we could assist, I nevertheless gave her strong assurance that she’d be OK. 

Then I remembered the names of a couple new friends in Ann Arbor. I had met Godwin and Barbara Okonkwo following an HFP presentation in their church. Wonderful people with a genuine heart for the incarcerated and a willingness to support our mission. I gave them a call. 

And that’s when HFP’s warm, “you matter,” spirit fell into place! 

Volunteers Barb and Godwin raced downtown to find Latitia. Their first top was to purchase a warm coat, boots and a hat. From there they headed to their pleasant residence, a warm and pleasing haven where she was treated with delicious home cooking and a comfortable night of rest in her very own bed.

The story came to a positive conclusion the next day when Barb and Godwin drove her to the Greyhound station and made certain that she was safely aboard a bus that would take her home. 

I’m so happy we were able to make that happen for Latitia. To me she will always be a hero, going back to the days when I was fighting on behalf of my wrongly convicted friend Maurice Carter. Learning of our plight this bold, young Black woman wore a hidden microphone on our behalf to record the voices of 3 persons in Benton Harbor who were personally acquainted with the real shooter! 

That important episode, unfortunately, did not end well. The Berrien County Prosecutor refused to consider this hard evidence. In addition, in various subtle means of retaliation, I’m convinced that the system made life most unpleasant for her from that day on…including the Mickey Mouse charge that sent her to prison. 

God bless Latitia. God bless our volunteers like Barbara and Godwin. God bless the work of Humanity for Prisoners. 

The HFP team…touching lives, making a difference!

 

 

 

 

 

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