THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9409260105
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ABOARD THE CRYSTAL DAWN LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
The fishing charter Crystal Dawn cuts through the waves of Roanoke Sound, barely outrunning a group of dolphins that occasionally reveal their smiling profiles to the delight of the children aboard ship.
Ten-year-old Nancia grins broadly as she watches the magnificent mammals swim. She has spent all of her young life within a few miles of the water, but with the exception of one ferry ride, this is her first trip on a boat - ever.
``That's one thing that we always talk about, is how many of the kids grow up so close to the water, but they've never been to the beach or out on a boat,'' said Beth Adcox. ``These are things we sometimes take for granted.''
Adcox is a member of the advisory board and ``the kids'' are part of the Dare County Friends of Youth, an organization that provides adult role models to ``at-risk'' children in Dare County. This Saturday may mean just another charter for the Crystal Dawn, but for the 15 kids on this ride, it is a day of wonder, and a day of friendship.
``This is Nancia's first time on a boat and first time to go fishing,'' said Carole Copeland, who brought Nancia and 8-year-old Paula on this trip. Copeland, like Adcox, is an adult volunteer with the agency, which is part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
``I don't have any children of my own, and this is like having your own to do things with,'' Copeland said. ``I enjoy spending time with her.''
Time is the most treasured commodity for children in the program. In these days when the single-parent family is fast becoming the rule rather than the exception, the helping hand of an adult volunteer can be a godsend.
``A lot of these kids are at a crossroads of making some very negative choices in their lives,'' said Bonnie Bennett, program assistant for the Friends of Youth. ``With the Friends of Youth, a Big Buddy or Big Sister is there to lend guidance and direction, and give them a caring friend. It makes a real positive influence on their lives as far as the choices they make.''
Bennett said she has seen the results of the program both in and out of the home. Children ages 7 to 17 are involved in the Friends of Youth.
``The kids improve the relationships with their family. They seem to do better in school. They get to experience a lot more in terms of social and extra-curricular activities,'' Bennett said. ``In turn, it makes them feel better about themselves. It's all because of the volunteers who spend time with them.''
Statistics released by the state of North Carolina bear out Bennett's assessment. Seventy-seven percent of children involved in the program showed progress at home, while 72 percent showed progress at school.
Sixteen-year-old Sharron said he has learned a valuable lesson from his Big Buddy, North Carolina Power employee Darrell Berry.``He's always telling me not to be running with the wrong people,'' Sharron said. ``Darrell is like my brother, man. Really, he's like having another Dad. That's a better word.''
Sharron is like any other 16-year-old, quick to tell you about the virtues of the Seattle Supersonics' Shawn Kemp, and how much he likes Florida State football. He will also tell you about his prowess at the pool table.
``Did Darrell tell you he never beat me in pool,'' he asked. ``He did beat me once. But I scratched on the 8-ball.''
It is clear the two have a special relationship.
``He's a great kid,'' said Berry. ``The thing that meant the most to me is when he told me that he wanted to keep spending time with me, even after he leaves the program. He wants me to keep working with him.''
Berry sees the benefits of the Friends of Youth program.
``There are a lot of single parents with two or three kids to raise,'' he said. ``This is a help to them. I've always wanted to help kids any way I can.''
Bennett said there is a misconception that the children in the program are bad kids.
``The thing to remember is that these are great kids,'' she said. ``They just need an adult friend other than a parent to give them guidance.''
There is a waiting list of children hoping to be matched with a volunteer.
``We always need volunteers,'' Bennett said. ``Right now, we've got 17 kids in the program, but we've got others on a list waiting to be matched with an adult.''
Bennett's husband, John, also a volunteer, has seen the joy a match can bring.
``There are a lot of kids who are real close to the edge of disaster,'' he said. ``But this is a neat program. It gives kids an outlet, and gives them a chance just to be kids. A lot of kids leave this program real happy.''
For more information on the Friends of Youth, call (919) 473-1101, extension 257. ILLUSTRATION: Color Staff photos by Drew Wilson
Above, Capt. Jerry Kennett pilots the Crystal Dawn while two
youngsters play with the microphones to the boat's public address
unit during Saturday's Friends of Youth excursion. Below right, a
participant removes a hook from a pig aboard the Crystal Dawn.
by CNB