There is still Hope for those leaving polygamy
 
By Patrice St. Germain
patrices@thespectrum.com
 
ST. GEORGE - Those leaving polygamous communities, by choice or not, find themselves with little resources at their disposal and not knowing where to go for help.

Many have little formal education and no money, family or friends they can turn to for help.

One of the organizations that steps up to the plate to help these people is the Hope Organization. Incorporated in 2004, the nonprofit group run by volunteers does whatever it can to help by providing mental, physical, emotional and financial help.

Elaine Tyler, who runs the organization, said it's often a slow process helping primarily women and children who leave polygamous communities.

"It's not a quick fix," Tyler said. "The fear, shame and guilt are so huge, it takes time to build up their self-esteem and make these people feel good about themselves."

Brenda Jensen and Sara Hammon, both volunteers with Tyler, understand how difficult leaving those communities and religious organizations is and how much time it takes to transition out. Both grew up in polygamous communities.

Most of the people come from the Hildale and Colorado City area, but Tyler said they have helped some from other areas and groups - not just the FLDS group locally.

Jensen said the organization looks to help people become self-sufficient, helping them find jobs and get better educated.

Tyler said she meets most of the people through the Dove Center and with the older boys, through the court system.

Tyler got involved about six months before the Hope Organization was incorporated because of the cases she heard about and wanted to find a way to help the people who needed help.

"These people deserve an opportunity," Tyler said.

Grant money from a family foundation pays for the overhead of the organization, such as the rent, phone and utilities, and the rest comes through donations.

The organization received a grant this year from the United Way, which was used for makeovers on 12 ladies receiving help through the organization.

The women received haircuts, manicures, makeup lessons and photographs.

Ironically, the Day of Caring fell on the first day of the jury selection process in the state's case against Warren Steed Jeffs, the prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Jeffs, 51, is on trial on two counts of rape as an accomplice for allegedly arranging the marriage of a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin.

Paul Murphy, spokesman with the Utah Attorney General's Office, said the Hope Organization does exactly that: offer hope.

"Elaine and the rest of her volunteers are tireless in helping everyone without judgment. Hope isn't burdened with a bureaucracy and so it can often help in ways the government cannot," Murphy said. "My only worry is that they have done so much for so little for too long. The people of Utah should really open their pocketbooks to help the Hope Organization help more people. Needless to say, but I'm a big fan of Hope."

Tyler said she is hoping people will attend a fundraiser next month to help the organization.

In addition to donations, Tyler said the organization needs more volunteers and would love to find a benefactor that would allow the organization to hire a full-time paid case worker.

"It's very labor intensive (running the organization). But I love what I am doing," Tyler said.
 
The Spectrum.com
Originally published September 17, 2007
 
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