Cottonwood children need our help

To the editor:

I read the Speak Out comment about Cottonwood Treatment Center being too expensive to operate. Two million dollars seems like a lot of money, but when you look at the good that comes from this place, the price is nothing. Please read this poem below and tell me it isn't worth it to protect a child.

The Little Girl

I see a scared little face.

All she wants is a sweet embrace.

She needs to hear

Kind words from a listening ear.

She sits alone and wonders what all this is for.

If only she could find the words

She would speak up and this would be no more.

She hears things crashing and verbal bashing.

She stops to wonder why,

But all she can do is cry.

I remember the way things used to be.

I see a girl. That girl is me.

Some children at Cottonwood come from backgrounds just like this or worse. They need our help. They need someone to stand up for them and speak up on their behalf. Cottonwood is a safe environment in which teaching is a vital component with these kids. We have to teach them how to deal with their anger in a constructive manner. We need to do right by these kids. Take a stand and fight for those who can't fight for themselves.

MISTY LUKEFAHR

Perryville, Mo.