McCain Pool Report
McCain's first stop after his Meridian speech was Hope Village, a home for children who are taken into state custody because of neglect, abuse or abandonment. He and Governor Haley Barbour were greeted outside “the cottages” – pale yellow brick building where the children live – by actress Sela Ward, a Meridian native who founded the facility in 2000. McCain greeted Ward with a kiss on the cheek. He was accompanied by his 96-year old mother Roberta McCain, his wife Cindy McCain, his daughter Meghan McCain, Sen. Roger Wicker, Congressman Chip Pickering.
McCain met privately with members of the Hope Village Board, as well as donors and staff in one of the buildings and then toured several of cottages—built in a row at the edge of a sloping lawn with several swingsets. Out of sight of the press, he met some of the children who live on the campus. Two of the cottages serve as emergency shelter for infants to children up to the age of 18. The other two cottages house older children, 12-18, for longer periods of time. About 40 children currently live at the facility, which is spans several acres in a residential neighborhood of Meridian.
In the last cottage, known as the “Faith cottage” McCain visited with three young women – all of whom will soon be moving into homes across the lawn that are being built by a local foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Two of the girls, 18-year-old Tiffany and 18-year-old Zakia, are college-bound. The third young woman, 19-year old Corianda is headed into the Army Reserve. Zakia walked arm-and-arm with Roberta McCain into the faith cottage. The staff gave McCain and his entourage a tour of the living room, bedrooms, brightly colored kitchen and dining room where 10 places were set with green, pink and yellow napkins.
McCain briefly spoke to reporters with Cindy McCain at his side outside the faith cottage. “Could I just say we're very honored to have the opportunity to see Hope Village, which is well named. It's a wonderful facility and it's an example of the community, and individuals joining together in support the mayor and all of the great board of directors here. It's an example of the care and love that can be provided which results in young people leading successful and wonderful lives.”
The Arizona senator then asked Zakia to say a few words. “It's a great day that you've come. It's a great experience and I've never … [inaudible]. And I really appreciate you all coming out today.”
McCain thanked Sela and her husband Howard “for the continued effort,” as well as the mayor and Barbour.
“We've had a great visit and this is the kind of thing that service to America is all about—caring for those who face challenges and meet those challenges with the help of the loving and care environment that is created here at Hope Village.”
“That's the future of our country and the obligation that we have to care for those who are deprived early in life of the opportunities that all Americans deserve—to give them a chance to catch up.”
He noted that Tiffany is ready to enter college this summer.
“We're proud of her,” McCain said, as Tiffany walked over to stand next to him. “She is also an honor roll student.” (Tiffany said she has lived at the facility for five years).
“This is the kind of success story that needs to be told throughout America,” McCain said. “And I'm proud that a lot of it is happening right here in the state of Mississippi.
Maeve Reston- LA Times
