CR kids need the youth shelter program

The Linn County Youth Shelter was located on 10th Street West before the flood. It was flooded and the foundation was damaged and it was declared unfit for human habitation. The Linn County Supervisors accepted a check for almost $1 million from FEMA for the purpose of repairing or rebuilding a new youth shelter location. Gov. Culver's wife visited our fine town and was assured that “our youth were their No. 1 priority.”

A wall was built to separate the youth shelter from the detention center as a temporary fix and the kids have been there ever since June 2008.

Now the Linn County Supervisors have paid a nearly $200,000 penalty to FEMA so that they can use the youth shelter money in other ways. And now the Linn County Supervisors have decided they may eliminate the youth shelter all together.

All of these kids are not criminal or delinquents. They are in at-risk environments at home. They need college-educated counselors to help them become productive citizens of our city, to help them overcome their circumstances. They need help, not just baby sitters, and as a community we should offer that aid.

Do not close down the youth shelter program.

Roxanne McCrane

Cedar Rapids