Assistance for Street Youths

Many homeless youth, runaways, throwaways and street gangs are involved in more than just survival behaviors on the streets of Los Angeles. Sadly enough, unspeakable crimes and violations of people do occur, like the murder reported in “2 Arrested in Torture Slaying of Transient” (Nov. 30). What must be remembered is that in a time when racism, violence and fear haunt us all, not everyone within the street population is evil. The crimes reported in your article are despicably evil and in no way can be tolerated.

All of us need to remember that there are serious issues that have been left unaddressed regarding the street population. It is vital that we who are in positions to make a difference move beyond debating mere issues of incarceration lengths of stay for violent crimes. Short-term emergency shelter and outpatient programs without permanent client stabilization can only begin to help. Recovery, rehabilitation and mental health care beyond these programs need to be the primary focus of our energies and discussions.

It is important that as we refer to street people we know who we are talking about as a community. There are differences in street behaviors, ages and moral codes among all the populations we lump together. Runaways are young people who have left home in many cases because it was intolerable. Throwaway youth have been abandoned for such reasons as poverty and gender-identity issues. Homeless youth are mostly those ages 18-23 who have tried to make it in school, work and/or the military and failed. Youth street gangs are made up of young people from each of the populations named above but who feel a need to be part of a group. They must be dealt with through gang-related community services.

It is impossible for drop-in centers and shelters to effectively manage all of the above populations. Most of Hollywood’s services are directed toward runaways, throwaways and homeless youth who are not gang-related. These organizations are sharing in making our community a better and safe place by caring for, supporting, educating, training and hiring youth in their programs. We see youth go home, get off the streets and become responsible citizens every week. We are appalled at the violence of other street people and know it is necessary with community groups and leaders to immediately address such violence. Good decisions must be made, not Band-Aid efforts or programs that just remove the blight from sight, but do little to resolve the core problems.

JOAN THIRKETTLE

Executive Director, The Way In

Salvation Army, Hollywood