New Facility for AIDS Teens Opens

Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services Inc., a nonprofit social services agency, will open its second residential treatment home for teen-agers in October--a six-bed facility in Los Angeles designed for adolescents who have been diagnosed with AIDS, AIDS Related Complex or who have tested positive for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus, and for youths who are substance abusers or are emotionally disturbed.

The services of GLASS are available to all teen-agers in need, regardless of their sexual orientation. The West Hollywood group, founded in 1984 by social worker Teresa DeCrescenzo, has been praised by Los Angeles County probation officials for its work in developing programs for youngsters who are wards of the court

“Although the incidence of reported AIDS cases among teenagers is low to date, our staff is gravely concerned that adequate resources exist should the need arise,” said Barry Nidorf, chief probation officer of the Los Angeles County Probation Dept. “GLASS’s leadership helps assure that such services will be provided.”