Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503210015
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA SMITH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Imagine that instead of just hanging out, they are going to nursing homes and performing musical programs.
That's what members of the Creative Voices of Love Drama Group do. All of them are from Northwest Roanoke, and they meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights in Theresa Carey's living room.
Carey, who moved to Roanoke from Trenton, N.J., two years ago, has always been active in youth outreach. She would walk the streets in New Jersey, gathering children together to go to church. She is a former day care provider and a former Sunday School superintendent. Through her Sunday school work, Carey established several small churches in New Jersey.
They meet in her living room because, for now, it is convenient for Carey, 44. She plans to move the meetings to the I AM that I AM Outreach Ministries facilities on Shenandoah Avenue.
Carey founded the drama group after she realized many of the children in her neighborhood were "out on the streets and bored" because they had no community activities to occupy their time.
To get the children involved Carey first had to spark their interest. She did this by decorating the hall outside her apartment on Halloween and Christmas. The children started asking questions. She then talked with the parents and told them what she wanted to do.
The children began by singing carols around Northwest neighborhoods at Christmas. They held a Valentine Evening of Love Banquet at the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Salem. Also in February they performed a black history program entitled, "Get Your Hands on the Plow ... And Hold On" at the I AM that I AM Outreach Ministries.
In April, the group will begin practicing for musical programs again.
Destiny Crump, 11, who was brought in by her friend Rena Day, says that "singing and being educated about black history is one of the best things about the group."
Carey said another purpose of the group is to teach the children to love and respect one another; to love and respect themselves; and above all to teach the children that they are somebody.
Ebony Washington, 12, one of the first members, says that "respecting herself and others" is one of the things that she gets out of the group.
Gloria Day, whose daughters Rena and Angel Day are members, also gets something out of the experience as well. Day says "being around the children makes me feel young and fills me with joy."
The experience is beneficial to both Carey and the children, who look forward to going to her apartment each week. Alyssa Brown, 12, says that the group "feels like a new family" to her.
James Stanley, 14, who was brought in by his cousin Madell Stanley, says if this weren't around he would be "sitting around the house being bored and watching TV."
by CNB