After escaping a fire that consumed her home, Angela Jones was lost, uncertain of where to begin rebuilding her life. Not expecting help from anyone, the University Police Department (UPD) parking officer was surprised when the support, love and donations began pouring in from members of the Southeastern community.
“To see how people have come to my rescue, in a sense, is incredible to me,” said Jones. “‘Cause I honestly never thought people cared like that anymore. When you work in law enforcement, you get to see the bad side of people. I work in parking, so people tend to not like us even though we’re doing our job because they’re frustrated, and I understand that. But I figured none of these people cared about me.”
Jones and her two children – Jazmine Jones, 13, and Shedrick Jones Jr., 11 – lost their home to a fire early on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 7. The trailer was consumed in a matter of minutes, barely leaving the three time to escape through the home’s back door, which had swollen shut from the heat.
“God got us out of there,” said Jones. “There’s no other way we could have gotten out of there. We were trapped. That door was burned shut. The fire was burning my hand while I was trying to get it open.”
Most of Jones’ possessions were lost, and she and her children have since been living with her mother while she attempts to get her life back in order.
“Right now, I feel like I’m crawling, trying to get back on track,” said Jones. “But it’s been nothing but silver linings. People have been incredible toward me. My kids haven’t wanted for anything lately. We’ve gotten help in droves.”
According to Jones, every campus sorority and fraternity reached out to her and her family. From check donations to clothing and necessities, members of many campus organizations have extended their support to help in any way that they could.
“The Tekes were the first ones to step up,” said Jones. “They have so much heart. Everyone may talk about how bad those boys can be, but they can say what they want. The Tekes are the bomb. When there was trouble, those boys came down here and took care of me. They did not have to do that.”
Jones also wanted to extend her thanks to all of the campus departments that have aided her in her time of need. From the Athletics department to the UPD, academics to Purchasing, Jones said she feels that there has not been a single department that has not stepped up to provide support. She was formerly employed in McClimans Hall doing janitorial services years ago, but even now, her former coworkers have opened their arms.
“They gave me so much money and love, it ain’t even funny,” said Jones. “They still treat me to this day as though I’m one of them. They were one of the first ones to call me.”
Members of First Guaranty Bank have also done what they could to help Jones.
“They have been so good to me,” said Jones. “They have been wonderful. Some of what they did, they didn’t have to do. A lot of them are students, too, that used to go to school here.”
Donations and support from the campus and surrounding communities have been pouring in for Jones since her tragic loss, and she said she feels her outlook has truly changed.
“The fact that someone loves me like that, it just moved me,” said Jones. “Humanity has gotten so far from that. To see it actually given to you is incredible. I didn’t expect it. To feel the love and their arms around me when I’m feeling so much grief right now, it makes me feel better. I stopped crying.”
“Everybody’s just been stepping up,” said Jones. “I have to say thank you to Southeastern Louisiana University. Our faculty and staff are extraordinary people. I have never in my life felt so much love. It feels like the entire body of Southeastern just has their arms around me and is hugging me, telling me it’s going to be alright.”