‘It’s just the little small things’: Suffered in Silence serves veterans

Navy veteran and retired Petty Officer Cheryl Joseph received an injury during 17 years of service. The injury worsened as she awaited treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The injury led to a blood clot in her foot before the VA eventually sent the appropriate paperwork — but it was too late. Joseph passed away a month and a half before the VA response.

Joseph’s sister, C Josette, went on to establish in Silence (S.I.S.) in 2019 to help people in situation like her sister’s. She spoke on some of her proudest moments.

“You know you’ve built a comfortable space when you’re happy either donating to them or giving them some food so their family can eat,” C Josette said. “Those are the most pleasurable [moments]; you’re helping families eat … And then just being that gateway to just come and feel open enough and trust you enough to tell you their story — those are proud moments also.”

Board member Daniella Edmund said it only took C Josette sharing the story of the group once to make her put her “soul and everyday” into S.I.S. Edmund spoke more on the mission of the non-profit.

“So this is the reason why Suffered in Silence is here because we’ve got a lot of people in our community — especially our veterans, too — that they are suffering in silence,” Edmunds said. “They don’t want to go anywhere for help; they’re scared to ask for help.”

Edmunds said a key goal of their organization involves assisting veterans with their troubles around retrieving appropriate assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs among other things.

“We’re here to help the veterans with their VA claims,” she explained. “We’re here to help them find food, clothes, partner with other organizations to help them find housing. We have counselors that come in, and we have counseling sessions. We’re here for the community, and that’s what we’re going to continue doing, is being here for the community we’re in right now.”

Their office in Warner Robins features a resource center with laptops, and C Josette and Edmund assist veterans in building up resumes and finding housing. Some partnerships with other local organizations also assist in these efforts, and those include work with The Curtis Center, The American Legion, The VECTR Center, Houston County Habitat for Humanity and the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.

S.I.S. partners with the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank for a food drive that takes place every second Wednesday of the month, typically serving over 500 families. Every Tuesday and Thursday, S.I.S. makes a run to Kroger to offer food pickups for families.

Another room in the building is dedicated to recording podcasts, with these taking place Wednesdays, Thursdays and “Conversations with C Josette” recorded on Fridays at 7:15 p.m. Edmund said they “talk about what we do for the community and how we’re going to fix it,” and the conversations can vary. Listen on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram or download the Hot 106 Radio app to listen in.

Another room in their building is dedicated to serve as a classroom, and upcoming classes will offer FAA certifications to fly drones. C Josette happens to be an aesthetician, and one room in the building is dedicated to offering facials.

Edmund was born and raised in Trinidad, and she had very giving parents and a grandmother always looking to provide or help someone with their troubles. Edmund ended up in New York, receiving the opportunity to partner with people from Harlem and the Bronx with a similar mindset to hers.

“I did my first community block party in the Bronx,” she said. “I shut the whole Preston Avenue down.”

She came down south to Warner Robins where her mother happened to live. Edmund was only supposed to be here for two weeks — but she has now been here for 6 years. She served with Houston County Habitat for Humanity for some time as well.

She said she enjoyed making realistic change happen considering her position within the community.

“A lot of things within Houston County need to be fixed and be better, but I don’t sit on any platforms where I can fix it,” Edmund said. “So what I can do, I can do a bookbag drive; what I can do, I can go to a neighborhood cleanup with Keep Warner Robins Beautiful; what I can do, I can go feed the homeless.”

Edmund spoke on a case that stuck out to her among the various projects and people they encounter.

“It’s just the little small things,” she said. “People look for a big, sky-opening, God coming down in a chariot — and I’m like, ‘No, it’s the fact that I could help this young lady get into an apartment in the rough times that we are [in] and make sure she has food on the table for her kids.’ That’s what makes me happy. I’m not looking for the sky to part open, I’m really not.”

A backpack giveaway will take place on Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to noon, offering over 1,000 backpacks at Sewell Circle Park. There will be food, a bouncy house, music, basketball tournament and a police dunking booth.

A Halloween costume giveaway, Thanksgiving food giveaway, Christmas coat drive and a November gala are some various upcoming events for the organizations.

Edmund said anybody is welcome to reach out to her personal cell phone number at (478) 336-0050. People can also call their office number at 1 (800) 429-7570 or visit their office at 1450 Corporate Pointe in Warner Robins. You can find their website at sufferedinsilenceinc.org.

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