http://www.fightsmackintheorphanage.org/
In 1973, feminist writer/child advocate Gloria Grey published her seminal best-seller We Are A Gentle Angry People: The Rise of Orphan Smack Addiction in the Latter Half of the Twentieth Century. Though it was often filled with inaccuracies, misconceptions, factual errors, and plagiarized portions of unpublished Jacqueline Suzanne novels, it managed to catch of eye of community leader, Marion Barry – the godfather of the anti-Smack movement of the early 70s.
Though unlikely partners, Gray and Barry joined forces to lay the groundwork of what was to become Fight Smack in the Orphanage (FSITO) by organizing the first citywide “Smack-down” in Los Angeles in 1974. Later that year, with help from several government grants and the proceeds of Ms. Gray’s lucrative mail order macramé business, they opened the first FSITO Rehabilitation Center on Crenshaw Boulevard in L.A.
Over the next thirty years, more than one-hundred FSITO Centers opened their doors in locations all across the United States and Guam. These centers are no longer just places that kids can get clean, but symbols of hope that inspire the entire community. Some also offer Pilates.
Sadly, the battle is not over. There are still thousands of Smack-addicted orphans on the streets looking for their next fix.
FSITO refuses to give up. We know that with your help and support we can fight Smack and save the orphans.
