BY: Gregory Lewis Staff Writer. South Florida Sun - Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Dec

Essie Reed has a new temporary house in the same northwest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood where she is known as "Big Mama," the rescuer of multitudes of children from street predators.

But all is not well.

Her old house, which has been condemned, is scheduled to meet the wrecking ball soon. And plans to build a new house for Reed on the old site are unsettled because of a bank foreclosure, city zoning ordinances and government restrictions. Reed's attorney, Richard Zaden, said he was dealing with title issues and negotiating with the bank to resolve a foreclosure on the lot where the condemned house stands.
Nonetheless, Reed said she is unhappy with her temporary housing situation because it doesn't allow her to care for her kids the way she used to at the old place. Government mandates and zoning laws limit the number of people who can live at her new address and would prevent her from operating her program in any city-built housing.

So Zaden, the Access Foundation, a group of business owners, and friends are raising money to build a structure on the vacant lot next door that will hold all of Big Mama's kids, not just her natural ones.

"She and the immediate family can live there, but all the other kids she cares for can't stay there," said Zaden. "That's why she needs a private structure built with private funds. That's why we're raising money to keep her doing what she does."
At a Big Mama house ceremony/celebration Wednesday attended by Mayor Jim Naugle, Reed thanked the city for its efforts but cried as she asked for help for her kids.
"They need a place to go," she said. "We've done a lot of work [just] to see them go back to the street."

Naugle praised Reed's contribution and talked about how "this tired, old, worn-out house" had served its purpose well, but needed to be replaced.
"We're going to build a fortress," he said, adding that Reed's cause is worthy of spending taxpayer dollars.

"She's a very nice lady. As a matter of fact, she's a marvelous lady," said Paul Costanzo, director of the city's department of economic development. "We're trying to do everything we can do. At least we've taken care of her short- and mid-term housing needs, and we're dealing with the long term."
The city is spending about $1,100 a month on rent to lease a house for Reed to live in until the legal squabbles on her old property are be resolved and a new house can be built.

Operating here since 1988, Reed has helped an estimated 1,300 children, protecting them from hardscrabble streets and predators such as pimps, drug peddlers and gangs.
After learning of her plight and the good she has done, South Floridians have come to her and her children's aid.

Fundraising efforts have started to raise $150,000 to build Reed a house that would allow her space for the troubled children she takes in. South African Airlines has agreed to match the donated funds.
A group of carolers in Fort Lauderdale, called Santa Help, raised $1,400 last week, allowing Reed to buy Christmas presents for 30 children and add some money to the Big Mama house fund.

The Access Foundation and Larry Clemons' Gallery 721 are holding a benefit party for Reed on Jan. 25 featuring artist Purvis Young. Clemons is donating art and has vowed to do so as long as Reed needs help.
Zaden, her attorney, said a contractor has come forward and agreed to build Reed a house on the vacant lot at cost, about $50,000, with volunteer help for the construction.

And people like Damian and Suzy O'Connor, who operate International Talent agency in Fort Lauderdale, have jumped on board to aid Reed and the kids.
"We'll help her in any way we can," said Suzy O'Connor. "We haven't come across many women like her. She's devoted her entire life to doing good. She's extraordinary."
The O'Connors are taking Reed and a group of her kids on cruises before the end of the year -- "Just to give them some fun," Suzy O'Connor said.

Gregory Lewis can be reached at glewis@sun-sentinel.com or 954- 356-4203