
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 6, 1994                   TAG: 9412060050
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JENNIE SUE MURDOCK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

YOUTH STAY BUSY AS VOLUNTEERS

EDITORIAL readers were made aware a few months ago of ``Something for the kids to do'' (July 25 editorial). Among your suggestions for the ``nuttin-to-do'' crowd, you offered the option of visiting a public library and reading a good book. May I add another option in support of those youth who have opted to volunteer in their community?

For several years, the Council of Community Services' Voluntary Action Center has collaborated with more than 50 agencies promoting summer opportunities with youth. Earlier this fall, a follow-up survey to 64 agencies indicated that more than 1,000 youth were serving in their programs as activity assistants in adult-care settings, as office aides with various health and advocacy agencies, as assistants in the arts with exhibits and visitors services, and in animal care. Many were exploring careers by serving in four of our major hospitals, as aides with food service and small children, and as peer counselors, computer operators, conservationists, tutors of refugees, camp counselors and assistants with sports and recreational programs.

This valuable resource may be a contributing factor to the two-year decline in youth violence and crime that you mentioned in an Oct. 16 editorial (``The city is in there plugging''). As you indicated, it isn't that simple, and we have no statistics to document the difference youth volunteering makes to our community. We do know this would be a far different valley without our youth and the enthusiasm they bring to making a difference.

We're experiencing a major emphasis in community service from a variety of initiatives: National Community Service and Trust Act, Congressional Award for Youth, Day of Caring, graduation and course requirements, Student Council competitions, proficiency and merit youth-recognition programs, court-mandated community service, parental ``mandates'' in support of returning something back to the community, career-exploration opportunities, and service learning at all levels of the educational continuum.

This newspaper has long been a leader in coverage of youth (as well as adult) involvement in our community. We look forward to your continuing support with the "Extra Credit" focus that you recently started. It's this extra credit that makes the valley a caring community, and one in which its citizens are proud to live.

Jennie Sue Murdock is director of the Voluntary Action Center for the Council of Community Services in Roanoke.

by CNB