Reflecting Strengths Of Education

I question your headline characterization of Morgan Monceaux [ "From Homelessness to Showing Art in a Gallery," Dec. 27 ] as homeless, a word that implies a lack of life's physical necessities and of social supports as a result of severe financial misfortune.

The story Mr. Monceaux tells reflects an education that stimulated and supported his intellectual curiosity and a family that provided him with values, inspirations and goals. He deserves credit for taking advantage of what was available to him and realizing the breadth of his choices and opportunities. Mr. Monceaux, whether working in Chicago or "bumming around in San Diego," was part of a social network and a family and was able to support himself. When his mother was ill, his grandmother knew where to phone him.

This article has more relevance to the perennial discussion of funding for educational and social programs than it has to the "homelessness," which was featured so prominently in its title. VARDA J. SOLOMON Great Neck