Help Whispering Hills

To the Editor:

In reference to Tuesday’s article in the Fayette County Record, I would like to add some context to the article and encourage Fayette County citizens to open their generous hearts to the children in “the system.” I have had the opportunity to visit the facility several times over the last few years both in a professional capacity and in a volunteer capacity with the La Grange Noon Lions. I have spoken to the CEO, and the staff on each occasion.

Whispering Hills cares for a population that is unique and challenging. When the CEO spoke to our Lions Club he shared that to qualify for Whispering Hills the children have to exhibit the highest level of behavior disturbance and have a significant learning disability. In addition, most of the children have suffered terrible abuse prior to coming to the facility. Children that have been abused are exponentially more likely to abuse other children and are also exponentially more likely to engage in risky behavior such as running away.

Whispering Hills, like many businesses in our area has difficulty finding and keeping staff. The unique structure of their facility means that the staff are on-site 24 hours a day which makes recruitment even more difficult. Any staff that have abused or neglected children should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but we should remember that our most trusted institutions have suffered similar scars. Just as we did not force the closure of churches, and schools when criminals were found, we also shouldn’t force the closure of this vital resource. There are only 2-3 facilities in the state that can care for this heartbreaking population.

Recommendations to actively help: 1) Add the children in the “system”, their family, and the staff to your daily prayer list.

2) Advocate for full prosecution for anyone who abuses children in any capacity.

3) Give Easter gifts, Christmas gifts, and random gifts through the year (ask any La Grange Noon Lion, we will help you). Even a nice candy basket is very welcome.

4) Volunteer to help design a natural landscape at the facility that will make running away more difficult. A children’s facility shouldn’t look like a prison, but a well planted garden could help secure the perimeter.

5) Recommend qualified workers that are trustworthy and that would thrive in this non-traditional environment.

6) Thank the FCSO, Investigator Marc Bennett, and Fayette County EMS for being patient and kind during these difficult run-aways.

7) Remember to do recommendation #1.