It's a Shame!

Connecting Point, here in Toledo, has closed its doors to hundreds of troubled youth and the families who depended on them. This, after decades of service in our communities. Though I've not read of a public reason offered by the organization, I've already begun to hear the excuses which for the most part have been blaming the economy and the financial uncertain times in which we all live.

I believe we are not only accountable for what we say, but also for what we don't say.

So let me say it; shame on you, the leaders of Connection Point. Your apparent irresponsibility and negligence have caused this closure.

You were a primary preventative service to many people - you helped keep young men and women off the streets and prevented them from ending up in one of our facilities. You provided outreach for young men and women staying at our Monroe Street or Sparrow's Nest facilities in an effort to connect them with other services

Now what?

The sad, and I'm sure unintended consequence from your perspective, is the reality that now, more than likely, Cherry Street and others like us, will be the burden bearers of your failure as we take in the inevitable flow of humanity you could have prevented.

A word of caution.

For those leaders in the social service arena who are watching the closure of Connecting Point - take a lesson. This didn't happen in a vacuum and it certainly didn't happen over night. For many of you there is still time to right your course, diversify your thinking and behavior and provide leadership to the community so we can all have a different outcome; changed lives, changed communities and ultimately a changed city.

You matter,

Dan