DEENA HARDIN
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While many people struggle to make their lives better, some who live in subsidized housing may fear that they don’t have what it takes to be successful because of their circumstances — because of their parent’s or parents’ background(s) or because they live in a neighborhood where they might be labeled “low class.”
Orlando Dennis learned that it doesn’t matter what situation you are in or where or how you were raised: You can take control of your life.
Dennis was born to Lenoise Jordan, who moved their family to the section of Magnolia Housing Authority (MHA) that is located on S. Jefferson Street, often called Alcardun Heights, when he was 5 years old.
“As a child growing up in subsidized housing with three other siblings, I faced many challenges that could have damaged my childhood and adult life,” Dennis said.
Within a couple of years, Dennis’s mother was abusing alcohol and drugs, putting her private life before the wellbeing of her children.
“I had to step up and be a big brother and caregiver to my three sisters,” he said. “Our mother received assistance from DHS [Department of Human Services] that provided our family with food stamps and TEA [Transitional Employment Allowance]. I gave up some of my time with friends to care for my sisters.”
Dennis would often walk to a nearby store to buy food for himself and his sisters while their mother was out having a good time. “I would also make sure that my sisters had their baths by the time Mother made it home,” he said. Although their mother never actually left them home alone, she would drop them off at a relative’s or friend’s apartment, leaving Dennis food stamps so that he could feed himself and his sisters while she was away.
“Sometimes, Mother would bring men home with her that we didn’t know. I never said anything to her about her male friends. I just made sure that my sisters were safe. I would take them to my room, where we stayed until Mother’s company left our apartment.”
During his teens, Dennis continued to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of his siblings. “Although I had big dreams, they seemed to fail after I had to spend most of my time with my sisters,” he said. He turned to a neighborhood gang, and street life became his top priority. Schoolwork fell by the wayside, his grades started to drop, and, he said, “I wanted nothing to do with school or my sisters.”
It didn’t take long for Dennis to see what street life was doing not only to him but to those around him. “Most of them ended up in the shelter, and some were even suspended from school. I realized I wanted more than what I had at that moment. I just didn’t know who to turn to for help until I met some people who were employed by the Housing Authority.”
Rhonda Voss, who was over the learning center at Alcardun Heights, stepped into the lives of Dennis and his sisters. “She talked with me and encouraged me to come to the center for tutoring,” he said. “She said that she would help me get my grades back up and assist me with a career choice. With her help, I was one of the first students to use the tutoring center. I really appreciate her for taking the time to help me and to care about what I made of my life.”
Another figure important to Dennis at that turning point in his life was MHA security officer Eddie Gooden. “He was not just security for Alcardun Heights, he was also the supervisor at the local shelter. Mr. Gooden was a good role model and father figure to me,” Dennis said. “He also helped me to change my lifestyle.”
With motivation from positive adults, Dennis was able to shake the negative effects he had suffered. “I worked hard to get my grades back to passing, and I studied even harder to get higher grades,” he said. “I pushed myself every day to work harder, to achieve the dreams that I had when I was younger. To keep myself busy and out of trouble, I joined the Magnolia Housing Authority basketball team in the early 2000s.” Later, Dennis played middle linebacker for the Magnolia Panthers for three years during high school.
When Dennis was about to begin tenth grade, Tonya Bunn adopted him. An aunt adopted his youngest sister, and the other two girls went to live with another relative. “My adopted mother taught me how to work hard for what I wanted, and she taught me how to respect other people,” he said.
Dennis graduated from Magnolia High School in 2006 and went on to earn an associate degree in criminal justice from Bossier Parish Community College. “I decided that I wanted to continue a future in law enforcement, so I went to the police academy,” he said.
In 2013, Dennis got a job as a deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, where he was employed for two years before transferring to the Magnolia Police Department. In 2014, he was hired as the security officer for Magnolia Housing Authority. He and his wife, Lauren Marshall-Dennis, and the six children they share, live at the Housing Authority.
“That’s why I work hard every day to give my children what I didn’t have, and that is love and an opportunity at a good future,” he said. “I plan to continue as Magnolia Housing Authority security officer and police officer for the City of Magnolia.”
Recently, at a PHriday conference in Hot Springs, MHA employee and Shining Star recipient Patty Weaver read Dennis’ story to the group assembled from housing authorities across the state. “They wanted success stories from the housing authorities, and Orlando is one,” Weaver said. “He grew up here from the time he was a little boy, and now he is a police officer.”
Motivation to open up about his early life came from a desire to help others.
“I want to help those who are living that same life as I did growing up,” Dennis said. “I also plan to help the young children at the Housing Authority to pursue their dreams. I want to thank everyone who gave me an opportunity to tell my story in hopes that it will strengthen the lives of others.”