Kudos to the City of Sacramento 311 Last night around 8:30 I was frustrated and left to go for a walk. I put on my headset and left my house. As I walked several blocks I passed a bus stop. It was dark and I paid no attention if anyone was seated inside the Regional Transit booth. I heard a faint soft female voice. I turned around but I didn't see anyone. Then I took off my headset and I heard the words, "Ma'am, Ma'am" Slightly irritated, I abruptly said, "What?" I will admit the first th... Rhonda mirr17 comment-17867 2009-11-17T16:08:48Z 2009-11-17T16:08:48Z Rhonda, if you happen to keep in touch with the girl, please post the "new happenings" or what becomes of her. I'd certainly be interested in knowing. Thanks again for your kindness and taking the time to reply to my post :o) mirr17 2009-11-17T16:08:48Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17858 2009-11-17T06:04:45Z 2009-11-17T06:04:45Z Thank you for reading the article and thank you for taking the time to post. I really do appreciate the comments. I didn't do anything special. To help someone shouldn't be considered special. It should be natural- helping others should come naturally - in the Spirit of Love-- our vision isn't clouded- we can see those in need of help, support, love.... I do appreciate your comment and I do give the young girl, WIND and 311 the upmost respect- they did more than I did. If it was not for the love they each extended I could not have wrote the story. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-17T06:04:45Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17849 2009-11-17T06:05:29Z 2009-11-17T06:05:29Z Thank you. I am glad I was there and so glad I met the young girl. And so glad I seen the love extended by so many who took the time to comment.. Yes, I do give God all the honor, glory and praise first and foremost. I don't believe it was a coincidence either that I met her, that I wrote her story, that I am blessed to read and see the love from so many others. I didn't consider myself her guardian angel I really consider her the guardian angel. It seems the young girl- her story- has touched more people than I, and more people have reached out in the spirit of love. When I read your post my heart was truly touched - a week later and you took the time to comment- that's beautiful- thank you. This young girl has touched many hearts. God has rewarded me --I am seeing so much more love extended to me by one act of kindness. I am absolutely touched. Thank you. Your post and love is truly appreciated and MANY blessings to all of you as well. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-17T06:05:29Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17847 2009-11-17T04:58:38Z 2009-11-17T04:58:38Z Yes, God is love and I am blessed to have seen so much love in the city of sacramento. Thank you Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-17T04:58:38Z mirr17 comment-17680 2009-11-12T17:52:19Z 2009-11-12T17:52:19Z Rhonda, I was very impressed with this heart warming story, I’m so glad you were there to help the poor girl in need. Thank you for putting her needs first and for taking the time to look for all the resources possible. I’m also glad to see you give God credit for putting her in your path. This was not a coincidence and just as you were her guardian angel that night, she too was able to help you realize just how much we are able to give of ourselves for others. I think so many of us would have been too wrapped up in ourselves, our own issues to care, but not you….you went the extra mile for her. You certainly were a good samaritan and God will reward you for this. I’m glad there’s still people out there with a good heart willing to help. And yes…thank God for services such as 3-1-1 and WIND. Glad to hear there are caring individuals also willing to lend a helping hand! Many blessings to all of you! mirr17 2009-11-12T17:52:19Z djlew comment-17516 2009-11-09T18:45:49Z 2009-11-09T18:45:49Z Thank you for sharing your story about our city servies and the wonderful work that Wind Youth Services does. djlew 2009-11-09T18:45:49Z SunnySideUp comment-17414 2009-11-07T00:01:40Z 2009-11-07T00:01:40Z Rhonda, you're so right, God is love. SunnySideUp 2009-11-07T00:01:40Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17359 2009-11-06T04:22:59Z 2009-11-06T04:22:59Z Oh my gosh- thank you biomouse- your beautiful post touched my heart so very much. How beautiful, "with fateful nights where the stars are all aligned, I don't know if I would be here today to read this". WOW,!!! If it were not for fateful nights with stars aligned, I don't know if I would have been here to write it or see the beauty in so many more. I am learning to walk by faith and not by sight. I am learning faith without works is dead. I am learning to follow my heart. I am so glad I wrote the article because I am seeing so many more beautiful people. And today I learned the love I received from helping the young girl did not end on Monday night --it has a domino affect-- trinkling down/ extending even today- with the posts I have read. I am learning so much- WOW, thank you so very much for sharing your story. I wish and hope you will write about it so we can read and learn more from you!!! Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-06T04:22:59Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17355 2009-11-06T04:41:19Z 2009-11-06T04:41:19Z Thank you Ms Romero for reading the story and I truly thank you and truly appreciate your comment. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-06T04:41:19Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17354 2009-11-06T02:18:43Z 2009-11-06T02:18:43Z Hi Susie, Oh, yes I want to get a hold of you also. I'll email you as soon as I receive your address Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-06T02:18:43Z biomouse comment-17353 2009-11-06T02:18:23Z 2009-11-06T02:18:23Z This was one of the best stories I have heard this entire year, and I am so thankful that there are people like you, and Othello, and the 311 operator around. I have been able to give back in much the same way as you did that night, and I have been the girl on the street needing help desperately. Every single time we as an individual or a community take the the time to provide hope for another, I think we've made huge strides in being better people. If not for people like you and those that helped you, along with fateful nights where the stars are all aligned, I don't know if I would be here today to read this. Thank you Rhonda. biomouse 2009-11-06T02:18:23Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17352 2009-11-06T02:19:39Z 2009-11-06T02:19:39Z I sent you an email.... I look forward to hearing from you. Much respect -- Please give Susie my email address. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-06T02:19:39Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17351 2009-11-06T02:16:19Z 2009-11-06T02:16:19Z Thank you very much. Yes, please do put the contact number in your phone you never know when it could come in handy. I love dogs. I have 2 and it 's sad when I see dogs wandering the streets, lost, dodging cars trying to find their way home .... THANK YOU for rescuing dogs!!! Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-06T02:16:19Z Mona Romero comment-17347 2009-11-06T00:44:57Z 2009-11-06T00:44:57Z Thank you for sharing this story, I really enjoyed reading it. Mona Romero 2009-11-06T00:44:57Z Susie Shields comment-17343 2009-11-05T23:34:20Z 2009-11-05T23:34:20Z Rhonda, I want to get a hold of you as well. I'm gonna ask Joesac to give you my email... Susie Shields 2009-11-05T23:34:20Z JoesacramentoDotCom comment-17322 2009-11-05T19:15:16Z 2009-11-05T19:15:16Z Good info, and yes Fargo was responsible for 311 implementation. Rhonda, I have tried to reach you via email but I suppose you have changed your email because I never get any replies. Please shoot me your new email address when you have some time :) JoesacramentoDotCom 2009-11-05T19:15:16Z Che Perez comment-17310 2009-11-05T15:25:32Z 2009-11-05T15:25:32Z Great - I will put this contact info in my phone now for such emergencies - I often rescue dogs, never thought about people. Great story! Che Perez 2009-11-05T15:25:32Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17307 2009-11-05T06:24:16Z 2009-11-05T06:24:16Z Absolutely!!! I've often spoke of what Mayor Fargo was doing to address youth..... Heck I probably tooted her horn far more than she did...... She didn't hold press releases, blogs..... When she addressed youth violence and resources she was humble. I wish she would have spoken more of her efforts. I wrote about that during her campaign wondering why she didn't speak up more..... I'm not familiar with how she conducted other areas within the city but I am familiar and have much respect for the areas she addressed that I know of.............. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-05T06:24:16Z Susie Shields comment-17303 2009-11-05T06:03:47Z 2009-11-05T06:03:47Z pay it forward! The 311 system is a great resource and Mayor Fargo should get the proper kudos for that! Susie Shields 2009-11-05T06:03:47Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17278 2009-11-05T05:43:20Z 2009-11-05T05:43:20Z Thanks Susie, I learned of 311 services while addressing youth violence. I sat in a few meetings with the City's office of Youth Development and met with some of the organizations addressing youth violence..... Lots of youth services, other than but to include suppression, was being addressed by councilmembers and Fargo....) In fact we never made it to the job corps 311 immediately answered their phone. That's how good and quick their response was!!! 311 is a 24hr a day resource for city residents. But if I had not sat in on some of the planning meetings... I would not have known to call either. I'm not familiar with all the services they provide since I only sat in on and offered my input on services pertaining to youth and violence.... Thanks Susie and she saved me too!! The only thing I wanted from her is to tell her peers. And if she ever sees someone else in need she will know what to do and who to call. Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-05T05:43:20Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17274 2009-11-05T05:12:17Z 2009-11-05T05:12:17Z Thank you for the comment, it was my pleasure to do it. I called WIND yesterday to further check on the young girl and today CPS called me and informed me that the girl is doing very well. WIND took her to school the following day. The 21yr old sister was worried all night....... and was at the school the next day.......I think both of them were shaken up into realizing how much they love and need one another. Today I received a call from CPS further looking into the incident. I know CPS gets quite a bit of bad publicity..... but I didn't call them they called me and the man I spoke with is sincerely looking out for this young girl's well- being. I should of updated the article to say Kudo's to CPS as well. Thanks again Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-05T05:12:17Z Susie Shields comment-17273 2009-11-05T05:07:19Z 2009-11-05T05:07:19Z Rhonda- This is a great article. It's good to know that we can call 3-1-1 for help. I wouldn't have known who to call. I wasn't aware that we could reach out to the city for help. I do know about a year ago I called 311 to report a dead animal in the middle of the road and they came out immediately and cleaned it up and removed it. I was impressed with the service but I had no idea that they were a resource for people in crisis, too. Thanks for all you do for our community. It warms my heart to think of how you helped that girl and how you very probably saved her. Thank you :) Susie Shields 2009-11-05T05:07:19Z Kati Garner comment-17271 2009-11-05T04:52:09Z 2009-11-05T04:52:09Z Thank you for doing what you did. Kati Garner 2009-11-05T04:52:09Z Rhonda Erwin comment-17268 2009-11-05T04:31:35Z 2009-11-05T04:31:35Z I forgot to change the day this occured, I met this beautiful girl Monday evening..... and the headline that I pictured was a joke- I would not have assaulted her physically but verbally she would of felt assaulted..... Rhonda Erwin 2009-11-05T04:31:35Z