On July 25, 2008, and July 30, 2008, Alycia filled out job applications in bars and restaurants for any available positions as a server near the sports stadiums and arenas in downtown Detroit. Attorney Cusumano drove her there. Alycia hopes to find a job, buy a car, and rent an apartment or home. Alycia has also enrolled in Michigan Job Corps which will provide the GED review course, and hopefully other opportunities. Alycia is struggling to meet short term financial needs while she continues to rebuild her life. Any persons wishing to help her can make a donation may do so via paypal by clicking on the donation link at the top of the page or send to: supportalyciamartin@gmail.com.
Barring anyone gifting a car to Alycia, she will be saving money for a car. Anyone with a reliable used car can email information and contact frankcusumano@msn.com. Attorney Cusumano and his wife Julianne, have paid to obtain Alycia's birth certificate, Michigan Identification, rented a car for Alycia to take her driving test, paid all her fees at the Secretary of State Office, and driven(at $4.00 per gallon of gas) her between Westland, Troy and Warren on all her cases at no charge. Cusumano has handled all her cases pro-bono and has provided some groceries, an occasional meal, and other sundry assistance. Alycia wants to be financially independent, unfortunately, everyday expenses such as clothing, food and shelter continue to pour in, and without a car Alycia's progress towards that goal is slow. It is now a possibility and not a dream. Alycia's strength and will to improve her life continues to impress all around her. Alycia reminds Cusumano that she decided to make the call to him, and no one should mistake that Frank and Julianne Cusumano are in it with her for the long haul with this young woman.
The picture above is from an evidence CD in the Troy prosecution. Alyica has a natural radiant beauty, and perhaps a modeling career is possible. However, in the short term, as with each of us, the bills need to be paid, so the job search continues.
Persons not familiar or educated in the phenomenon of prostitution, the following is uncanningly illustrative of how, why, when and where these young people get drawn in:
"WHERE THE WORKERS COME FROM"
"The sex industry ultimately is about power. This is best demonstrated by the care with which the industry takes to ensure that those it uses are powerless. The predators are neither irrational nor stupid. They watch carefully for a kind of "victim profile," and avoid anyone who may be uncontrollable or dangerous.
They focus on young people coming out of families that are abusive, disorganized, or non-existent. One fundamental function of the family is protection of its members, especially its children. The family also is a team, and all players must do their jobs. If a member is lost or disabled, others in the extended family or community must step in to carry on. When one or more adults in a family are absent, addicted, mentally ill, or severely demoralized, the children are in danger.When the family is poor, or part of a devalued minority group, and opportunities for education and good jobs are limited, some members of those families may be willing to take risks. If the young people are being terrorized, beaten, or sexually abused by the very people who should be protecting them, many are going to take their chances on the street. For some, nude dancing or even prostitution may look better than no job at all." (excerpt with permission from How Prostitution Works By Joseph Parker, Clinical DirectorThe Lola Greene Baldwin Foundation. 2008)
Alycia was found by, and has found a responsible family/support network which will help her through the troubled waters of her recovery, and not let her drift away again. Although, by accident of birth she is "poor" and not a member of the "nobility," she is still entitled to a life free from fear and degradation. Hopefully, her blood relatives, other then her sister who has always been there for her, will someday reestablish contact.
Sometimes Cusumano calls Alycia and just says hello and asks her how she is doing. Maybe being around normal decent people is all it takes to change a young woman's life.
Barring anyone gifting a car to Alycia, she will be saving money for a car. Anyone with a reliable used car can email information and contact frankcusumano@msn.com. Attorney Cusumano and his wife Julianne, have paid to obtain Alycia's birth certificate, Michigan Identification, rented a car for Alycia to take her driving test, paid all her fees at the Secretary of State Office, and driven(at $4.00 per gallon of gas) her between Westland, Troy and Warren on all her cases at no charge. Cusumano has handled all her cases pro-bono and has provided some groceries, an occasional meal, and other sundry assistance. Alycia wants to be financially independent, unfortunately, everyday expenses such as clothing, food and shelter continue to pour in, and without a car Alycia's progress towards that goal is slow. It is now a possibility and not a dream. Alycia's strength and will to improve her life continues to impress all around her. Alycia reminds Cusumano that she decided to make the call to him, and no one should mistake that Frank and Julianne Cusumano are in it with her for the long haul with this young woman.
The picture above is from an evidence CD in the Troy prosecution. Alyica has a natural radiant beauty, and perhaps a modeling career is possible. However, in the short term, as with each of us, the bills need to be paid, so the job search continues.
Persons not familiar or educated in the phenomenon of prostitution, the following is uncanningly illustrative of how, why, when and where these young people get drawn in:
"WHERE THE WORKERS COME FROM"
"The sex industry ultimately is about power. This is best demonstrated by the care with which the industry takes to ensure that those it uses are powerless. The predators are neither irrational nor stupid. They watch carefully for a kind of "victim profile," and avoid anyone who may be uncontrollable or dangerous.
They focus on young people coming out of families that are abusive, disorganized, or non-existent. One fundamental function of the family is protection of its members, especially its children. The family also is a team, and all players must do their jobs. If a member is lost or disabled, others in the extended family or community must step in to carry on. When one or more adults in a family are absent, addicted, mentally ill, or severely demoralized, the children are in danger.When the family is poor, or part of a devalued minority group, and opportunities for education and good jobs are limited, some members of those families may be willing to take risks. If the young people are being terrorized, beaten, or sexually abused by the very people who should be protecting them, many are going to take their chances on the street. For some, nude dancing or even prostitution may look better than no job at all." (excerpt with permission from How Prostitution Works By Joseph Parker, Clinical DirectorThe Lola Greene Baldwin Foundation. 2008)
Alycia was found by, and has found a responsible family/support network which will help her through the troubled waters of her recovery, and not let her drift away again. Although, by accident of birth she is "poor" and not a member of the "nobility," she is still entitled to a life free from fear and degradation. Hopefully, her blood relatives, other then her sister who has always been there for her, will someday reestablish contact.
Sometimes Cusumano calls Alycia and just says hello and asks her how she is doing. Maybe being around normal decent people is all it takes to change a young woman's life.
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KAHARDIE@comcast.net
Friday, August 15, 2008
I am Alycia's aunt and would like to thank those who are showing support for in in her plight. She is a beautiful young woman who has endured more pain, betrayal, neglect and abuse than anyone could possibly imagine. The poor choices that has made were not acts of evil, but utter desperation. I pray for everyday and support her as much as I can from 600 miles away. I have no doubts that she will rise above this, but she can't do it alone. Frank Cusmano has been a guardian angel in her life and I am so grateful to him for supporting her when nobody, not even family members including her own parents have been able or even willing to help Alycia. I feel that her family should be on trial. I love Alycia with all my heart and want people to know that she is a wonderful person but due to the torture she has had to deal with since she came into this world 21 years ago has very little self esteem and I hope as she grows and learns from this experience that she will realize that she is strong and worthy of great things.
Posted by Karen Hardie at 7:32 AM 0 comments
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Karen Hardie
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I want the world to know how much of a beautiful person Alycia is inside and out. There is only two people in this world I can talk to and they know exactly what Im talking about AND feeling. Alycia is one of those people. Life hasnt delt our family the easiest hand but god did give us the brains to relize when change and growth is in the horizon. Im so proud of Alycia for everything she has accomplished in these last couple months. She has set goals and is knocking them off her list one by one. I remember when we were little and we use to talk about life when we where older. Our master plan? Sisters forever and roomates for life. We use to take everything out of its place and form these little "houses" all around my room. We would sit and play for hours until my mom came up and made us go to bed. (after yelling at us because the room was a serious disaster zone) Alot has changed since then. We never got the chance to live together but I have to say she will always be my sister forever. Alycia I want you to know how much I love you and that not a day goes by that I dont think about you. Your life is now yours to take. Dont let it go.
I love you always.
It seems to me these days people are so quick to point a finger but when reflected back at them, a look of disbelif floods there face. Mr. Athens will one day have to face the gates. What will you say when its your turn to explain sir?
I seriously doubt whether Athans, or the pimp for that matter, has any belief is a supreme being who will ultimately judge him/them. Such notions are, in the opinion of the sociopathic mind, for the less intelligent "lower class." Likewise neither has any empathy, guilt or shame for their direct actions relative to the women used in their business dealing.
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