More support needed for kids

I read Tuesday's article about the 10-year-old who was held hostage with a knife during a domestic dispute with a heavy heart. That little boy will bear the emotional scars of that experience (as well as many others that I'm sure haven't made the papers) for years to come.

As the director of Lutheran Family & Children's Services, every day I see the challenges our kids face -- from child abuse and neglect to homelessness and untreated mental illness. In Cape Girardeau County alone, we know that there are more than 500 children going without necessary psychiatric services, more than 240 children who are homeless and 1,000 children who are abused or neglected each year.

We also know that there are wonderful agencies, organizations and charities doing really great work, but it is not enough. The capacity of agencies like Lutheran Family is limited, and we can no longer rely on the support of our state and federal governments. We have to control our issues in a local way -- like Proposition K.

Proposition K will establish a Community Children's Service Fund in Cape County to provide support for the emotional and mental health needs of our children. The quarter-cent sales tax increase will raise funds to provide much needed services.

Our kids deserve better, and you can help support them by voting "yes" on Tuesday for Prop K. Let's make a difference in not only the lives of our children, but in the future of our county.

EVELYN BEUSSINK MARTIN, Cape Girardeau