Teen lends an ear to those in distress

Justin Gray’s school locker might as well carry the sign, “The Counselor Is In.”

If there was a death in the family, relationship problems or family issues, the freshman class at Santa Monica High knew whom to see about it. Justin would talk to them about their problems or comfort them as they cried in the school hallways. An elderly woman once gave $5 to Justin after he spent time talking with her at a bus stop.

Justin, 15, has faced and overcome his own problems. His mother took Justin and his brother, Derek, 12, to a domestic violence shelter nearly five years ago. She received temporary housing and obtained a divorce. In less than a year, Justin and his family were living in a comfortable two-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica.

“Our house is peaceful and happy now,” said his mother, Victoria Gray.

Justin played for the freshman football team, helping his team win the championship as a defensive lineman and punt returner. He hopes to earn a football scholarship to play for Michigan or Florida universities. But his mother is quick to point out the importance of his goal to study psychology -- even if he eventually gets drafted to the NFL.

This summer, Justin and Derek will attend the UCLA UniCamp for the third time, a weeklong camp in Barton Flats that subscribes to a rustic philosophy. Between such events as casino night and the talent show, campers are responsible for chores: cleaning toilets, picking up trash and washing the bathroom sinks.

But Justin is looking forward to this summer’s experience, when he will hike to almost 12,000 feet with an older group of campers, sleeping under the stars and learning how to start a fire by rubbing sticks together.

Both boys have had some close calls with nature at camp. Derek, whose camp name is Hot Sauce for his speed on the basketball court, was sleeping when a bear came into the cabin at night, sniffing his bags for food.

All the bear found was deodorant, and Derek was relieved he had chosen the top bunk.

Justin has had run-ins with rattlesnakes, and fell into the river once as he tried to catch a fish with his bare hands. He’s learned his lesson.

“We’re going into their homes, and I don’t want to mess with them,” Justin said. “They’re wild.”

Justin and Derek will be among the 12,000 children who will go to camp this summer, thanks to $2.1 million raised in the Los Angeles Times Summer Camp Campaign last year. Donations this season will ensure that just as many deserving children get the camp experience next summer.

As of July 10, $664,000 had been raised toward this year’s goal of $1.2 million.

The annual fundraising campaign is part of the Los Angeles Times Family Fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, which this year will match the first $1.2 million in contributions at 50 cents on the dollar.

Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, call (213) 237-5771. To make donations by credit card, go to latimes.com/summercamp.

To send checks, use the attached coupon. Do not send cash.

Unless requested otherwise, gifts of $50 or more will be acknowledged in The Times.