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Scientology church aids erring youth

Title: Scientology church aids erring youth
Date: Tuesday, 12 June 1973
Publisher: Crusader
Main source: link (54 KiB)

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John Smith, age 14, was declared incorrigable by social workers at the Clayton Juvenile Court and Detention Center. He had run away from home for the "8th time" when he was given four days temporary custody with his aunt on May 25, '73. At the end of that four days a warrant was to be issued for his arrest. "I felt I didn't belong to myself. I wanted out, to live my own life, and was on my way to Chicago to do that."

During the next four days John took a course in communication at the Church of Scientology, 4225 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, at the suggestion of his aunt. At the end of that four day period John's viewpoint had changed completely. "Basically I became more aware of myself and more able to communicate with others. For the first time I felt like I was myself, I belonged to myself and now I want to know more about myself and others.

According to Bob Hovender, John's social worker at the Clayton Juvenile Court and Detention Center, "In my opinion John could easily have been on the road to hard drugs for escape and then rough times in the criminal justice system. Now he seems happy, with some sense of pride, a sense of worthiness, and willingness to deal with the situation better."

Now John gives part of his time helping at the Church of Scientology, "so that others can experience the same awareness of themselves that I now do of myself."