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Local Foster Care Agency
I worked at Give Us This Day from 2011 to 2013, and despite my efforts to alert the Department of Human Services to the abuse and neglect at these foster care homes, the DHS failed to investigate thoroughly ["Home Sweet Hustle," WW, Sept. 16, 2015].
Most employees were hired because they were friends of executive director Mary Holden. They lacked training and the ability to administer any form of treatment or skill-building, as the state requires for funding.
Having this "work experience" on my record has hurt more than helped me. I eventually left the program, not because of the fact that GUTD didn't pay us on time or that I was constantly reprimanded for calling the police to report abuse or refusing to do things I saw as morally wrong or against state regulations, but because I could not stay another day knowing that this abuse was happening and the DHS was not doing anything to protect these children.
I have since moved into the criminal justice field. GUTD absolutely disgusts me.
—Rachel E. Rosas
I am appalled at this one-sided article. Since when is getting an attack campaign together considered newsworthy?
I work for Give Us This Day, and it's just like other foster care agencies I've worked for. It was routine until I met Mary Holden, who is a very busy director. I learned of the passion she has for the children who are placed with the agency, and she often gives jobs to people in the community.
She shared a model for care—an extended-family model—that requires foster parents to treat foster kids like their own kids. You cannot work at GUTD if you do not have a passion for children.
—"Concerned"
Why on earth is Holden not in jail? She is clearly serving no one but herself. She needs to be jailed and to make restitution for all of the money she has received and not accounted for.
—Robin Monroe
Marijuana-Infused Alcohol
Hopefully the Oregon Liquor Control Commission allows this to be sold all around the city ["Cannabooze," WW, Sept. 16, 2015]. I have sampled Messina Bitters and had a really nice evening while feeling its effects.
I am not a weed smoker by any means, and this seemed to be the perfect dosage for me. It is always nice to know exactly how you'll feel when ingesting a substance, and this one hits the spot.
Its healing properties are too great to not have it sold nationwide.
—Brett McConnell
Correction
In last week's review of Taiwan Eats, the ranking of Beaverton's population in relation to Portland was incorrectly reported. Beaverton is Portland's third-most-populous suburb, following Gresham and Hillsboro. WW regrets the error.
Letters to the editor must include the author's street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words.
Submit to: 2220 NW Quimby St., Portland, OR 97210.
Fax: (503) 243-1115. Email: mzusman@wweek.com.
WWeek 2015