Distressing Situation

I’m writing this letter as a private person, not as a representative of any organization. The views I express are mine--but, hopefully, not mine alone.

It’s truly amazing. Five million dollars are donated to build a structure to house a specialized art collection. An equally impressive sum was recently raised to build temporary housing for two pandas.

And the homeless people of our charitable metropolis? Still homeless--and growing in number and need. Private efforts to alleviate the problems do exist, but they must constantly fight for their own financial survival.

As a volunteer, I’ve been associated with the Los Angeles Free Clinic for more than six years, currently as its president. The clinic is a private, nonprofit organization that cared enough to attempt to do something about the local problem. When the Homeless Youth Project was established it was hoped that private funding could be located to take over the program when the initial grant expired. We’re still hoping. However, the Homeless Youth Project is a singularly expensive one among the other services that the clinic provides at no charge (other services are: medical, dental, legal and psychological counseling and a sex-information help line).

The Los Angeles Free Clinic is fortunate enough to have a loyal and dedicated group of supporters and volunteers. Yet, in spite of everyone’s rigorous efforts, the Homeless Youth Project has not been able to secure the necessary funds to ensure its meritorious existence. Unless funds are found soon the Los Angeles Free Clinic will probably have no choice other than to close the doors of the Homeless Youth Program.

The homeless youngsters whom the Homeless Youth Program is intended to serve are not as cute and cuddly-looking as the pandas; the young people’s plight cannot be viewed with the same cool, clinical detachment as works of art. Nor are the homeless, of any age, in our community as comfortably distant from us as the troubled people of Africa.

It’s extremely dismal and distressing that special housing can be funded and constructed so readily for pandas and art works while the homeless humans in our midst, or around our corner, remain homeless. To resolve the human dilemma, committees and commissions are formed to “study” the problem. What benefit will be derived from saving an endangered species of animal or art work without also working to preserve a caring, compassionate human race?

BETTY ROME Beverly Hills