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

DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995                   TAG: 9501250003
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PETER S. WILLIS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

A HAVEN FOR THE HELPLESS

They come from as far away as Texas and New York City and as close as Richmond and Montgomery County. They are confused, frightened, hungry and sometimes sick. Helpless victims of abuse and terrifying neglect, they are often unloved and even unwanted. Some are runaways far from home.

For a few fortunate children in Virginia, there is hope for an end to this nightmare through the efforts of the Volunteer Emergency Families for Children program.

``Our mission is to provide a safe, loving home to a child during emergency situations,'' said Dawn Rice, the program's New River coordinator.

The emergency program began more than 15 years ago in Northern Virginia as a grass-roots movement among local church groups. It offers a safe place to care for children who have to be removed suddenly from a troubled or violent home. For runaways miles from their parents. For troubled teen-agers facing minor criminal charges who need an option to a detention center.

"It's the only program like it of its kind," Rice said.

More than 400 families throughout the state participate in the program.

Montgomery County - one of the original participating regions - is home to six families who are opening their homes and hearts to children in need.

The situations faced by the children and teen-agers cover a broad range of hardships, including neglect, malnutrition, abuse and even abandonment.

``Just giving one weekend out of your life to help these kids can make a world of difference,'' said Rice, who, with her husband, Russ, director of Montgomery County's Office on Youth, has opened her home to these children.

Many of the children need little more than a good bath, a decent meal, a safe shelter and someone who cares. In one tragic case, four children taken in by the Rices needed medical attention for lice, cigarette burns, burned hair and hunger.

``It was one of the worst cases, to see those children in need,'' Rice said.

The children recovered under the Rices' care and were placed with a relative of their mentally ill mother. It was a success story that only encouraged the Rices to continue in the program.

The need for more volunteers is critical, and better coordination between programs is essential to provide for the number of children in need of such emergency services, said Dawn Rice. The volunteer program is finding itself hard-pressed to handle the number of children needing placement with the limited pool of participating families.

``We need to turn some children down because we don't have the homes for them,'' Rice said. ``It's so easy to open your home and take in these kids.''

``As long as we're still able to serve kids in our home, we'll be available,'' Russ Rice said.

Ann and Tom Inzana of Blacksburg also serve children in need through the program. They have participated since early 1992 and have taken in more than 10 children in three years.

For the Inzana family, it's an opportunity to show the children that stable homes, regular meals, warmth and love do exist. Despite the children's often troubled backgrounds, the family has encountered few if any problems in opening their homes. Their efforts are fulfilling and provide the children with positive influences, said Ann Inzana.

As one of the initiating members of the Blacksburg Hand in Hand Playground project, Inzana enjoys the personal interaction the program encourages.

``I'm not one to throw money at causes, I like to be involved,'' she said.

All families in the program must have training in basic child care, substance abuse prevention, attention deficit disorder and other skill areas. Participating families can provide care for up to 21 days in all cases.

The network between Social Services, the volunteer program and the host families is very supportive, according to Inzana. Both the needs of the children and of the participating families are taken into account at all times.

The Volunteer Emergency Families for Children program also provides a mentor-preventive care and support program for youths in the area. So far 14 individuals have been matched with children to offer a friendly ear for their needs and concerns although this program is low key compared to the program's main focus on emergency care.

Some children placed through the program become long-term members of their host families through foster care and adoption.

by CNB