Dear Editor:
RE: Concerned neighbours, April 18.
I was shocked by this letter to the editor from a spokesperson for the neighbours, as I have never met the writer.
The description is a misrepresentation of Aletha’s Place and not based on facts. Our project has been described in the media since January 2018 with invitations to call and visit. I have had many calls and visits from community members, but no questions or concerns from any neighbours.
Aletha’s Place is supported by well-respected funders in the community who are aware of my professional career and my reputation since retiring as a teacher to establish and work at this charitable organization as a well-qualified “volunteer”.
All income from my volunteer work and all donations go toward the operation of this charity, especially the overhead of this building in the heart of Mount Forest.
New Growth Family Centre Inc.(2003) has been at 211 Birmingham St., Mount Forest for 10 years. Services are for youth (ages 10 to 16) and their parents in the north of Wellington County. The goal is early intervention for the whole family to prevent a progression to “troubled youth over the age of 16”.
Aletha’s Place is an extension of this therapeutic work. It is a short stay (24 to 48 hours) with full supervision to allow a family to breathe and think clearly in the midst of a stressful time. My clients are local families and are not “neglected, homeless children” or “troubled youth over the age of 16” or “shelter residents”.
They are 12- to 16-year-olds living in the community with their families. Their parents want practical, local support to face the challenges of raising their adolescents despite the heightened societal influences. They want to stay together. They want help. They want to solve the problems.
Those who do not receive the appropriate supports at an early age do progress to levels described in my neighbour’s letter. We are losing too many youth to desperate, destructive lifestyles already. Please ask for the true story directly from us. Our brochure of services is available to all.
Aletha McArthur,
Program director/special
education and behaviour specialist,
New Growth Family Centre,
Mount Forest