Sometimes we got to do what is right no matter what it takes and whatever the world may think of it. When a high school student found a secret room he couldn't believe his eyes for a moment. The contents he saw inside the room were confusing him, he didn't understand what all of it was here and for what purpose? Carolyn Collins was the only person who was aware of this secret room. What was she hiding inside? Why she has to hide anything at all? The discovery made it a topic worth discussion throughout the school as well as the whole city. Nobody thought that when a dreadful situation will appear in front of Carolyn she'll tackle them in the way she did.
Tucker High School, is the only public school in Tucker, Georgia. Although the school seemed to be like an ordinary one what was going on wasn't normal at all. In every school, there are certain rooms where students aren't allowed to enter without permission. Unlike other schools, Tucker high school's cafeteria was hiding a secret room. A few months back nobody knew anything about this room but from quite some time students were talking about some mysterious place in the campus. None had any valid proofs that any secret place existed in the school. Therefore, they used to think of it as a rumor.
The so-called rumor wasn't going to remain a rumor for too long. As the room actually existed but was never in use. But now it was regularly being used for some unknown reasons. The room was behind the cafeteria food counters. A place where students don't go. Only cooks and janitors go behind the counters. But one room behind the counter was only opened by Carolyn Collins. No, the room wasn't assigned to her yet she was using it, for what? The reason was still a mystery.
A school student was tired of his present life. He wanted help but didn't know whom he should ask or where he should go. The teen was desperately in need of some rest and peace of mind. He didn't have a proper meal for more than a week. He was sitting in his class but was unable to focus on the physics concept his teacher was explaining on the whiteboard. He could've dozed off anytime in the middle of the class but was aware that how much of a bad impression it'll make on everyone else. So, he stayed and waited for the class to get over. The reason for his situation was heartbreaking.
He was certainly going through some hard time. Anyone could tell how messed up he was inside his head just by looking at his face. But what could anyone do about it? He himself felt awkward in sharing his problem with anyone. Mostly teenage is a confusing time when everyone goes through some ups and downs. However, this teen's issue was not just an age trouble but something much bigger than usual teenage problems.
The kid was homeless. He had nowhere else to go. After the class was over he took a break from the next class and went to the cafeteria. There was too much noise to handle or to take a quick nap. He was now getting used to all the noises and disturbances as that's his past month went by. A while back he was an active student, not the dull types. Staying always attentive during the class and always completing his assignments on time. Unlike now, all his work was pending and he didn't have the complete notes on him.
A recent study has stated that on an average 1 in 7 kids of the age group 10-18 runs away from their homes. In fact, the age group of 12-17 have a higher risk of homelessness than adults. Running away from home is not the only reason why many kids end up on the streets every day, the financial crisis of the family is one big cause for it. This has become a major issue for several developed countries. Also, 75% of homeless or runaway youth eventually drops out of the school. Yet this guy was trying hard to continue his attempts.
Most of the homeless teens have to quit schooling midway. Leaving with no bigger career opportunities in the future. But many people try to attend school as long as they can. But this boy was managing to come to school anyway. But that morning everything felt like a set up to test his patience. When he was on the verge of giving up his school life, something happened that changed his life forever. This incident made him discover the hidden room as well. It all started when someone noticed him.
The lady janitor, Carolyn Collins was the one who noticed the boy's worsening condition. She looked at him and understood there was something wrong. She offered him to come along with her and as he didn't see any other option he just walked behind her. He had no idea about where he is heading.
They walked through the cafeteria lobby. She was heading towards the counter of the cafeteria and opened the counter door. Although he hesitated a bit when she asked him to follow her. He went inside behind the counter there was this door he never noticed before. He knew Carolyn from before as she has been working in the school for a long time. When she switched on the lights and asked him to enter, he never thought of anything like this to come up.
Carolyn Collins, a janitor as well as a custodian at Tucker High School. Over the years, she proved herself as an amazing worker who used to take her work seriously. She had the sense of responsibility in her and never let any area the classrooms, hallways, and the other facilities or the outside garden clean and tidy. She was a happening personality who shared good terms with everyone including the teachers, staff, and the students. She made sure that whoever she got in touch with should leave with a smile on their face. There was a dark side of this school that she got to know in the year 2014.
Whatever was in the room came as a surprise to the guy. It was more shocking when he understood that it wasn't something new but this has been going on for years now. He was inside the room and the first thing he had in his mind and Carolyn understood his obvious confusion and the question he was about to ask.
The guy has heard rumors that Carolyn took several students in that room before but he never understood why. Today he himself was there and all his questions were about be answered. As he was now getting that it wasn't any rumor he went on to ask Carolyn and the answer stunned him.
Back in 2014, Carolyn got an early morning shift. The early morning shift usually starts an hour before the school starts. She was usually assigned afternoon shifts and something strange happened. Another employee told her that a few students reached school early. The worker asked her if she could keep an eye on the kids until the teachers and other students arrive.
For Carolyn, it was an uncommon thing to happen. Kids never want to go to school early. She understood that there must be some serious issue behind it. She agreed to look after the kids and sat there, thinking about what could be wrong. The kids were silent, they were not disturbing each other, not causing any trouble just silent.
Carolyn wanted to know what's the matter and decided to ask the children but they seemed to be quite embarrassed when they were asked anything and denied from answering. She knew she couldn't know the issue unless the kids trust her. What came out after Carolyn started a conversation was so heartbreaking.
Carolyn tried to ask them the reason for being in school so early. But most of them weren't interested in telling. She was concerned and didn't give up. She went on talking to a pair of siblings who wanted to share but were too ashamed for some unknown reason. Carolyn's kind nature soon gained their trust and then they started speaking.
Those kids were homeless. Some of them were living in the cars rest in cheap hotels. There were nights on which they had to spend on the streets too. The kids were starving but they also wanted to study and that's why they were managing to come to school after all the odds of their lives. Carolyn was humble and she knew she has to help the kids.
Carolyn did the important things first. She collected enough food for the kids. She knew this wasn't an issue that can solve with some food but what she didn't know was there's more to the disturbing reality. As the siblings went on talking, Carolyn understood the seriousness of this problem.
The truth was that these were not only homeless students. There were many more who were stuck into same realities. “Some of them sleeping in cars, some in hotels. They just want to learn," told Carolyn. As we already told you that teenage homelessness is spread throughout the country, the number of students in trouble were quite high.
Homeless teens get into drugs, and crimes such as theft, killing other violent acts more easily. Unfortunately, teenage homelessness can lead to low self-esteem, severe anxiety, depression, suicide, poor health, and nutrition. Carolyn felt connected with these kids. She had her own personal reasons behind it. But what she came up with was the most appreciable thing.
Many years back, Carolyn's son was killed in a home invasion. She was closest to her son but couldn't do anything to save him. Since the big loss, she was always determined to change as many people's lives as she can. This was her chance to do it, but how? To do something for these kids she needed a perfect plan.
Carolyn started from her home, she brought things which she thought would be of a great help for the kids. Within a few days, she got an idea that she won't be able to help them all alone. The kids were lacking proper nutrition. Giving them a proper healthy diet was her first concern. on top of everything, she didn't even have a separate place to keep all the food she brought daily for the kids.
Carolyn discussed it further with the school teachers and her co-workers. She made a list of necessary things required for the kids. And the people were willing to donate required things for the kids. But there was no place to keep these things. And soon she finds a solution for this as well.
Carolyn was aware of a cleaning supply closet in the cafeteria, it wasn't too much into use. and was quite spacious too. Carolyn started collecting stuff for the students: clothes, shoes, canned food, and personal hygiene products. Students named the place as the "Care Closet." More people contributed and soon kids' needs were now met.
Once she talked to the pair of siblings, Carolyn never stopped and kept working for these kids. Next 4 years passed and everything was going on. The average number of kids that were getting help from this care closet were 20 every year. But these are the kids who walk to them for help. Many kids are introvert and never shared their situation with anyone. "I gave them a little bit of everything because my heart just went out to them," she explained.
“A lot of kids don’t say anything. I tell the teachers a lot, ‘If you see a child with their head down, the same clothes on day after day, let me know,'" told Carolyn. She wanted to help the kids who don't speak much. Her maternal instincts were so strong about these kids. She always treated them as her own. That's how she could now even tell them by their face that they are in a miserable situation.
Her work is admirable and her efforts are extraordinary. When asked the reason behind motivation she said with a smile on her face, “I’m just trying to stop our young boys from stealing and killing.”
Most of the children at the Tucker High School are now aware of Carolyn's efforts and her work. They call her "Auntie Carolyn" or "Mama Collins" or whatever they love to call her. When a student was asked about Carolyn she mentioned that everyone around her knows about her and how great she is, she added, “she’s a caretaker, she’s a giver, she’s everything you could ever ask for.”
When Eric Parker, the principal got to know about Carolyn's work he too contributed whatever he could to help the students in need. "It started off as a few knick-knacks as far as toiletries and other items that the students needed," he further added, "at this point, she has anything that any student would need."
In December 2017, Atlanta-based TV station 11 Alive aired Carolyn's story. Her story went viral when the post was updated on Facebook. So far, the post has been viewed more than 1.6 million times. No one could relate to the affection that Carolyn developed towards these kids. The reason why her story was so special is not just her compassion.
"She has a very caring heart and is a very giving lady. She has definitely taken it upon herself to meet the needs of the students. Not only with the closet, but they feel comfortable enough to ask her," the principal said. "It makes me feel good just to see a smile on their face. I just want to keep helping as long as I can," told Carolyn what keeps her going.
La Detra White, an entrepreneur, and local author, one of the readers of the post gifted Carolyn with a Christmas surprise. Several people joined her and visited her at home. They collected Care Closet, totaling $1,300. “I’m going to cry my eyelashes out,” she was so grateful that she couldn't believe people loved her work so much.
Carolyn went for a $5,000 shopping for the Care Closet, a gift from the Sam's Club. She purchased all the things that students might need and kept it in the giving closet.
Carolyn's work touched everyone's heart. And the famous celebrity Steve Harvey heard of her story. Carolyn's school students told the Steve Harvey team about her extraordinary work and invited her to appear at the show. She was yet to get the greatest gift of all at the show.
Steve Harvey wanted to do something for the lady. He gifted Carolyn $15,000 shopping spree at Sam's Club but asked her to spend this money for herself. Emotional Carolyn cried and said this was the greatest of all the rewards. She said, “They can come to me for anything. If I have it, I’m going to give it to them."