(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Grumbly Mid-Ohio Valley residents may have had the wrong idea about annual SleepOut events during which young people raise awareness and money to address homelessness issues.

“We’re not pretending to be homeless,” said Denise Hughes, director of programming for the Children’s Home Society.

What various organizations are doing on SleepOut evenings is raising money through entry fees and donations — in the case of this past weekend’s event, to go toward the Transitional Living Program at the Children’s Home Society to assist homeless youth.

For participants such as Chief Glenn Rickard, the naval science instructor at Parkersburg High School, the matter takes on even greater significance. He is a foster parent and has worked with the Children’s Home Society for 15 years.

“I deal with teenagers all the time,” he said. “It’s important to make sure teens are taken care of.”

Others were involved because they know first-hand the difference such programs can make.

“I wanted to help out this place because it helped me out,” said 19-year-old Ryder Hamrick, later adding the Transitional Living Program “helped me find myself.”

“I’ve got my own job. I’ve got my own place,” Hamrick said. “What you didn’t learn, this program teaches you. And you’ve got a bunch of peers in this group that are here to help you.”

Michelle Pritchett, transitional living social worker, said for the last federal assessment in 2020, which covered a three-year period, the program posted an 84% success rate, defined as being safely housed, employed, stable in terms of mental and physical health and having positive adult connections 24 months after completion.

Those who spent some time over this cool, rainy weekend — having a little fun, yes — but also raising money, awareness and support for an agency doing that kind of good for our young people are to be commended. Well done, folks.