THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 32 lines
Regarding the Jan. 13 Virginian-Pilot editorial concerning the attempts of supporters of Seton House to construct a shelter for troubled boys in the King's Grant area:
The editorial mentioned that Seton House presently operates a shelter for ``runaway girls.'' It is true that a small percentage of the residents may be runaways. There are, however, children who are given temporary shelter at Seton House who have been abused and who might be described as ``throwaways.'' Not all parents are caring and loving, and these children who are thrown out of their homes desperately need help.
Another category of teen-agers who are given temporary shelter involves children and parents who may be having conflicts. Seton House counselors work with the child and the parents to reunify the family if possible.
The girls who have been given temporary shelter at Seton House have not caused any problems in the neighborhood. Most residents of the Little Neck area are not even aware of the existence of this shelter, which has been in existence for a number of years. If the supporters of Seton House who are raising funds to construct a shelter for boys are successful, I can say with confidence that these boys will be good neighbors as well.
The members of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, who have made land available for another Seton House, deserve accolades for their generosity and compassion.
JOSEPH A. GAWRYS
Norfolk, Jan. 20, 1997