Two MoCo Girls Missing: Web Site
Two Montgomery County girls have been missing for nearly two weeks, and their families are asking anyone who has seen them to please let them know.
Maryam Balbed has set up a web site with information, phone numbers to call, and a flyer: CLICK HERE.
If you have any information about these girls, please get in touch with police or families, and let's get them back where they're safe.
The disappearance of two Montgomery County teenagers has prompted a nationwide search amid fears about the meaning behind a note left by one of the young women about her desire to "stay with my true love, buried next to her."
Rachel Crites, 18, of Gaithersburg and Rachel Smith, 16, of North Potomac both called their parents Friday afternoon to say they were in Georgetown and planning to see a movie.
But cell phone records showed the call was placed from Charles Town, W.Va., a small town south of Frederick best known for its horseracing track.
That was the last their parents heard from them. Now the Montgomery County Police have issued a nationwide search for the teens and for Crites’ dark blue 1997 Subaru Outback station wagon. Nationwide search launched for missing teens
Maryam Balbed has set up a web site with information, phone numbers to call, and a flyer: CLICK HERE.
If you have any information about these girls, please get in touch with police or families, and let's get them back where they're safe.
posted by JimK at 10:23 AM
5 Comments:
Thanks a bunch for mentioning the web page, Jim. This will make a huge difference.
Hits to that page are through the roof -- from all over the US and several other countries. If people keep spreading the word, I'm convinced these girls will be found.
Maryam
Sure, Maryam, and please let us know if there're any developments.
JimK
Oh God. They found the car...with the bodies of 2 girls inside.
SMYAL CALLS FOR RAISED AWARENESS OF SUICIDE RISK FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
WASHINGTON, DC – The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) today called on youth service professionals to be aware of the elevated suicide risk among young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning of their sexual orientation or gender identity (LGBTQ). The statement comes after last week’s discovery of the bodies of two Montgomery County, MD teenagers who apparently took their own lives. Todd Peterson, Chair of the SMYAL Board of Directors, issued the following statement: “On behalf of the SMYAL Board, staff, and volunteers, I wish to express deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rachel Crites and Rachel Smith. This tragic loss demonstrates the importance for all youth workers to be vigilant for any signs of suicidal ideation, attempted suicide and depression in the young people they serve.
“SMYAL urges our region’s youth service professionals to be aware of signs of suicidal behavior in all adolescents. While we do not presume to understand the thoughts, feelings and causes of this tragedy, social science research continues to show that LGBTQ young people are at significantly greater risk than their peers for attempted suicide and other behaviors which may lead to suicide.
“For the sake of the lives of our young people, all youth workers must be particularly sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ youth and aware of the increased risks they face, including suicide, as well as other mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness as well as physical and verbal abuse.”
# # #
About SMYAL
The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) is the only Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
SMYAL’s mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTIQ youth ages 13-21 as they journey from adolescence into adulthood. To fulfill our mission, we focus our commitment and energy on five focus areas: (1) Life Skills & Leadership Development, (2) Counseling & Support, (3) Health & Wellness Education, (4) Safe Social Activities, and (5) Community Outreach and Education.
SMYAL also provides programs for LGBTQ youth in participating Maryland public schools and conducts LGBTQ youth cultural competency trainings to teachers, emergency housing personnel, social workers, and other youth service professionals across the region.
Resources for LGBTQ Young People and Youth Service Professionals
Youth are always able to refer themselves to SMYAL’s programs. Youth interested in learning about activities at SMYAL’s youth center can visit http://www.smyal.org/calendar/calendar.php , E-mail youthcenter@smyal.org or contact Victor Price, Youth Services and Activities Manager, at (202) 546-5940 ext. 107.
School counselors and social workers who wish to refer a youth to SMYAL’s individual counseling program may do so by contacting either of SMYAL’s Mental Health Counselors:
Sean LeSane
sean.lesane@smyal.org
(202) 546-5940 ext. 117 Xanthia Johnson
xanthia.johnson@smyal.org
(202) 546-5940 ext. 106
LGBTQ young people who are contemplating suicide should call the Trevor Helpline at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386), a national, toll-free 24-hour suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ young people.
Youth service professionals who wish to schedule LGBTQ youth cultural competency training for their staff should contact Christopher Lane, Acting Director of Programs, at christopher.lane@smyal.org or (202) 546-5940 ext. 103
Nice design of blog.
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