Secret Harbor’s relocation from Cypress Island to a variety of Skagit County group homes signals a new approach for the school that serves troubled boys.

Instead of an isolated camp on an island, the boys will now be expected to integrate into our community in local schools and homes in a variety of neighborhoods.

Most leaders in surrounding communities are treading softly around this delicate issue. They neither want to offend those in favor of the group homes nor do they want to offend the new neighbors of Secret Harbor.

Neighbors have said they are worried the supervision might not be up to par and the boys could cause problems that until now have been nonexistent in their neighborhood.

Parents have expressed concern their children could be hurt if the boys aren’t properly supervised in the classroom and hallways of local schools.

Property owners are upset because local levy dollars will be used to support the extras needed in the schools for these boys, few of whom hail from Sedro-Woolley.

Secret Harbor officials are frustrated because they sold their former facility and they must find adequate shelter and educational outlets for their wards. They say these residential homes will provide their teenagers with as much normalcy as possible while at the same time keeping neighbors safe from any ill effects.

The boys in Secret Harbor’s care have no criminal records and will be supervised in and out of the various Skagit County homes.

Most of us can see the numerous sides’ points and empathize with each of them to a certain extent.

We can recognize that having a home of troubled youth next door could upset the calmest of storms. Anyone who knows the ins and outs of most neighborhoods knows there is already enough drama between neighbors to add one more apple to the cart.

One can also recognize because of the boys’ past choices, whether stemming from psychological problems or poor supervision by parents or guardians, they will have to earn the trust of teachers, parents, neighbors and fellow students.

Trust is something that, once lost because of poor choices, takes a while to earn back.

That type of trust is basically what Secret Harbor officials are asking numerous communities to offer.

As long as they can continue to build the trust by providing adequate supervision and counseling, those impacted by the group homes will have to accept the organization’s judgment and hope the boys are able to climb the mountain, summit the peak and learn that every route has its ups and downs.

Our communities need to recognize there are two ways to handle the boys’ climb — they can either remove the safety ropes and hope the boys stumble off the mountain, or they can be the best Sherpas possible.

If the community can help guide these young men through one of the most important transitions in their lives, all of us will reap the benefits.



Richardson is the editor of the Courier-Times. She can be reached at 360-855-1641 or via e-mail at .