San Diego's Embrace succeeds in getting former American Gladiator "Storm", and son, off the streets and on their way to better life
The effort put forth by Embrace CEO, Sean Sheppard, has prompted support and assistance for Storm, and son Crayton, from celebrities, former gladiators and the media.
- San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) February 04, 2011 - Former American Gladiator, Storm (Debbie Clarke), is getting a second chance at a better future for her and her son this month: The efforts put forth by Sean Sheppard, CEO of San Diego non-profit Embrace, has triggered the attention, and ultimately support, of Storm, from other former Gladiators, The View's co-host Sherri Shepherd, and other prominent individuals throughout the nation.
While mobilizing college students to serve the homeless two days per week, as part of Embrace's efforts, Sean met Storm: a single mom, victim of domestic violence and in need of knee-replacement surgery, with her son Crayton, and living on the streets at St. Vincent de Paul in Downtown San Diego.
Three days after meeting Storm, Sean randomly met the sister of another American Gladiator, Laser (Jim Starr), who rallied his team of past American Gladiator cast mates, Malibu (Deron McBee); Dallas (Shannon Hall); Viper (Scott Berlinger); Zap (Raye Hollitt); Dallas (Shannon Hall); and American Gladiator Creator and Executive Producer Johnny Ferraro, to support one of their own and get her and her son back on their feet.
"Thanks to Phyllis DeBlanche, I met AOL Writer David Moye who was looking for a homeless advocate to be a resource for a completely different story," said Sean. "I was able to tell him all about Storm and he ended up running a piece on her story. The View's Sherri Shepherd read the piece and immediately called me to tell me she was 'moved' by this story. She was extremely pleasant and compassionate; wanting to know how she could help with Storm's immediate needs. Then, it just took off from there."
Sherri's physical assistance has yet to be finalized, but she has been in direct contact with Sean to check on Storm and Clayton's progress and determine her next plan of action. Sherri & Storm spoke for the 1st time on Monday, January 31st with Sean videotaping the entire conversation.
"The story has also caused Dr. Dan Kalbac, US Men's National Soccer Team Doctor located in Miami, FL., to get in touch with me; offering to perform knee replacement surgery on Storm to get her mobile and able to work again," said Sean. "To add to all this wonderful news, a local gentleman named Mr. Engelhardt emailed Embrace and offered to pay for Storm's round-trip ticket to Miami to have the surgery. This has been one of the most incredible collaborative acts of kindness I have ever experienced."
Moving forward, Storm would like to be a spokesperson to help raise money in support of Embrace's efforts to serve the homeless. She intends to work with women, like herself, that have survived domestic violence and/or homelessness.
Storm has asked Sheppard to manage her media appearances, as well as all future opportunities moving forward, and he has accepted.
The American Gladiators have discussed working on a special project that will directly benefit Embrace so that it can expand its sphere of influence globally.
Currently, Storm and her son are staying in a spare bedroom, provided by Sean, and given food to eat in addition to a safe place to temporarily call "home."
For more information about Embrace and its programs, visit www.embrace1.org.
About Embrace
In 2007, Sean Sheppard began volunteering his time to feed the homeless once a week with the San Diego Chargers and soon discovered that he had a passion for improving the lives of the homeless population. Embrace, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, connects universities and colleges with local government to create a community outreach/service learning model that utilizes college students to remedy community problems such as health and homelessness on a volunteer basis. His ultimate goal is to bring about legislation that makes community service mandatory for all college students that attend state funded institutions of higher education.
Visit www.embrace1.org for more information.
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