To the editor:

E. Kent Hayes makes a very valid point in his letter of April 13 praising the Lawrence Community Shelter and the remarkable program it administers. In Lawrence, we are very, very fortunate to have the services of many others.

As a former drive chairman of the United Way Campaign, it was apparent to me the priceless services that are available. However, I didn’t really appreciate everything Lawrence has to offer until, for various reasons, I found I needed them myself.

There is the staff at Health Care Access and the Douglas County Dental Clinic, two United Way agencies, along with Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Independent Living and the computer classes at Independence Inc., to name just a few.

However, the biggest “secret” I’ve come across is the staff and programs at the Lawrence Workforce Center. If you need it, they’ve got it. High-quality information services, employment training, educational programs and the high-quality staff members who go out of their way to help you.

Finally, a real surprise has been finding the Senior Community Services Employment Program. One of its staff members has in effect “adopted me” and introduced me to the approximately 10 other agencies that are under the umbrella of the Lawrence Workforce Center.

As Mr. Hayes so aptly pointed out, Lawrence is a beautiful city of compassionate, top-notch individuals. I’m very lucky to have come into contact with just a few of them.

Dennis Barritt,

Lawrence