Huckleberry House, led by Rev. Larry Beggs in 1968, was certainly not a "glorified cathouse." Whoever wrote that must have a long-standing gripe against Rev. Beggs, for some reason, to say something so awful, untrue, and misrepresentative. I knew Larry ("Ed") Beggs as member of a teen rap group he led at Marin Open House, in San Rafael. Rev. Beggs was a great help to me. I’ll always remember him for his caring, competent guidance and counsel, and for being the positive role model he was for me.

It was 1968, I was 14 yrs old. Came to this place, by bus, from Sacramento. Took a city bus, and walked in. At first I couldn't find the place, asked a mailman, who (on hearing my destination) suggested I turn around and go back home. There was no sign out front, I asked a paperboy if that was the right place. He looked at me askance asking, you really don't want to go in there, do you? I figured it would be better than what I faced back home. I was wrong. At the time this place was nothing more than a glorified cathouse. The minister there gave me a choice: work the streets or go back home. I went back home.

It was 1968, I was 14 yrs old. Came to this place, by bus, from Sacramento. Took a city bus, and walked in. At first I couldn't find the place, asked a mailman, who (on hearing my destination) suggested I turn around and go back home. ...

Huckleberry House is a great organization doing phenomenal work on behalf of adolescents. Many of their youth are involved with probation and Huckleberry HOuse offers these kids a much deserved 2nd chance at a healthy life.