THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701220103
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 39 lines
Chesapeake is looking for a few good men and women to act as mentors for the city's low-income, at-risk youth.
Wanted are flexible, patient adults that can teach social and learning skills to prepare youngsters ages 12-19 to lead productive lives. The program is being run by the Community Services Board and Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Recruitment started in early January and is expected to last nearly two months.
``Many youths, especially young males, don't have a vision for life,'' said Dr. Maureen E. McCarthy, head of the Community Relations Department, an agency of the Community Services Board. ``They have an almost defeatist attitude, with few or no goals. A one-on-one relationship with a mentor, role model could help them build self esteem and a zest and vision for life.''
Mentors must be able to accept children from a different ethnic, cultural or class background than themselves and be willing to provide at least 12 hours of assistance a month for six months.
McCarthy said the city is especially hoping to recruit police officers, teachers, civic heads, and military and business leaders. She emphasized that mentors must have a persistent, dedicated attitude. Following an orientation seminar, mentors will be matched with youths.
The program will be operated out of the On-Site Adolescence Treatment Program facility in the public-housing section of the Broad Lawn neighborhood. The site is run by
the substance-abuse arm of the Chesapeake Community Services Board. Many of the participating youths will come from that neighborhood and other public-housing sites.
McCarthy said she already has received several inquires, and hopes to have the program up and running by the end of February. MEMO: Call 547-9334 for more information.