Former Cradle of Liberty (Phila) Scout Exec now CEO of another youth group

[RememberSchiff]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151216_Ex-Boy_Scout_boss_to_lead_group_that_helps_gay_youths.html

 

Thomas Harrington, Eagle Scout and former Cradle of Liberty Scout Executive, will be introduced Wednesday as the new CEO of Valley Youth House, an Allentown-based organization with offices and initiatives in Philadelphia.

 

In an interview, Harrington said the policy that disallowed gay scouts was set by the national Boy Scouts of America and had no bearing on his new role at Youth House, which, among other programs, helps gay, lesbian, and transgender youths find jobs, housing, and comfort in their own identities.

...

 

Valley Youth House, which raises and spends about $20 million a year, runs several programs to help vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. Its Pride initiative aims to help gay youths "embrace their identity and overcome the obstacles presented by housing insecurities and homelessness," its website says.

 

In October, Valley Youth House gained wide publicity for its "Sheltering Pride" effort, which sought to raise awareness and money to help youths forced from their homes because of their sexuality. Nonprofit leaders lugged a couch to prominent sites in Center City, declaring that "couches don't count" as reliable housing and asking passersby to discuss the issue.

 

In Philadelphia about 40 percent of homeless youths are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transsexual, studies say. National statistics mirror that - and show 40 percent ran away or were forced out of their homes because their families could not accept their sexual orientation or identity.

"We have four pillars of Youth House, and the first one is, 'We are inclusive,' " Harrington said.

 

During the battle over the Boy Scouts ban, Harrington told The Inquirer that his council had no membership test, but "there is a national policy we have to follow."

 

He said this week, "The national policy was the national policy. There were many people who wanted to change it."

Local scout leaders faced a choice, he said. They could comply with the policy, or "we could have chosen to not be a Boy Scout council anymore. But many of us, including me, felt the Boy Scouts served a lot of kids."

 

Since starting at Youth House about 10 days ago, Harrington said, he has reached out to local leaders, including those in the gay community, "to let them know the mission and focus has not changed."

 

Segal, the Gay News publisher, praised Youth House as passionate and committed to helping gay youths.

 

Harrington "will be judged on his actions," Segal said. And, he added, people will be watching.

 

 

An interesting article. I wish him success in his new position.

Edited December 16, 2015 by RememberSchiff