To the editor:

I do not feel that the Lawrence Community Shelter is being treated fairly by the community. Very kind-hearted people started it and persevered through great obstacles. People with serious mental illness were dying in the streets here; of course they had other problems also. One got run over, another died in the heat, some have died of hypothermia. To this day, the shelter helps out many people with mental illness and dual diagnosis. However, they are not given any of the behavioral health money. I think it is underestimated the amount the shelter has contributed and does not show good cooperation to not share some of the money that was voted on with that organization. In my lived experience some of the people with the most needs have gone to the least funded places in Lawrence.

Sharilyn Wells,

Lawrence