Re: (Gazette, May 4, 6 and 11)

I was surprised at how critical the homeless youth crisis is in the West Shore, particularly because it is such an invisible problem.

However, I was disappointed that your series did not speak enough about those agencies who are helping to solve this problem and how one could contact them to offer help.

I must comment that this problem is not for agencies alone to solve, while others stand by and observe from the sidelines. It does take a village B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ a community B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ to raise a child, and just because a teenager is 16 or 18, it doesnB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t mean that the village is done raising that child.

On that mission, I would be willing to share my modest accommodations to one of those teens struggling on their own, providing a consistent and safe (gay-friendly) place to sleep every night and to take advantage of my skills as a tutor and mentor until he or she completes high school and achieves their independence.

Daryl Watton

View Royal

EditorB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s note: If youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™d like to help out or support a youth facing a housing crisis, contact us at editor@goldstreamgazette.com and we will put you in touch with the appropriate parties.