Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-13 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
``I'm supposed to have a case load of 10 to 15 at a time,'' Brenda Conner told a business group Thursday attending a breakfast meeting launching the town's new economic development program.
She is working with 23 youngsters now with more on a waiting list.
The town's Juvenile Intervention Program works with young people who, for one reason or another, are at risk of running afoul of the law. Often it is because parental skills or care is lacking, or the young person knows no adult who could be a positive example.
``Most of the kids who are referred to me don't have that kind of role model in the home,'' she said.
Conner wrote letters to businesses last summer asking them to refer young people to her if they were observed on the streets late at night, loitered in their stores or otherwise came to their attention. She said schools do a lot of referrals but teachers lose contact with students over summer.
``I invited you then and I'm inviting you now. Please contact me. ... What I would like to have is an intervention network here in this community,'' she said. ``It's not a cliche: kids are our future. They're going to be running this town or ruining this town one day.''
Conner also made a pitch for the Youth Emergency Shelter, providing a short-term refuge for young people who must leave a home situation for one reason or another.
``It might be just for a day, it might be for a week. We've had kids who have been gone a lot longer than that,'' she said. ``We have an almost 90 percent certainty for a facility. ... It's not a done deal but it's very close.''
Businesses could sponsor a room in that shelter, once it is up and running, she said.
by CNB