ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
A mentor program for Pulaski County youngsters needs adult volunteers.
Adult volunteers are being sought for a mentoring program set up by Pulaski County's Office on Youth.
The program is designed to provide a supportive relationship between an adult and young person to meet the youth's educational, recreational, social and personal growth needs, said Anthony Akers, Office on Youth director. Young people are referred to the program by courts, schools and the community.
"Adults interested in volunteering must undergo a criminal and child protective services background check," Akers said. "Adult volunteers are then trained by the Office on Youth and are matched with a young person based on similar interests and location in the county."
So far, he said, the program has relied on student volunteers from New River Community College and Radford University. More volunteers are being sought to meet the needs of growing youth referrals, he said.
"The mentoring program has the capacity to serve as many youths as it has available adult volunteers. The success of this program will solely depend on community volunteer support," he said.
Volunteers will be asked to give at least two hours a week to the program, with a minimum six-month commitment. They will provide educational and recreational activities for the young people with whom they are working. Further information is available by calling Akers at 980-7797.
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