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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