DATE: Thursday, October 23, 1997            TAG: 9710210117

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 05   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   47 lines

JUNIOR LEAGUE PLEDGES $45,000 TO HELP HAVEN'S HOMELESS KIDS

Members of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach have pledged $45,000 and hundreds of volunteer hours over the next three years to help homeless children at the Haven Family Center locations.

With some 200 members from throughout Hampton Roads, the community service organization plans to build a playground at Morgan's Place transitional apartment complex, institute a ``First Book'' literacy program, organize after-school and weekend classes and cultural events, and assist at the Haven's family development and computer center.

Special parties, reading groups and other activities are also being planned.

``Everyone is very excited about going over and getting involved with the kids,'' said Virginia Hitch, league president.``There's so many things we can do. We hope to be a major presence there during the next three years.''

The Junior League chapter selected the Haven from among 40 other programs vying for the league's support. The Ocean View-based program for homeless families was selected because the women were eager to make a difference in the lives of children, Hitch noted.

Haven officials were ``to say the least, thrilled'' at the selection.

``This is a terrific partnership,'' said Thaler McCormick, a Haven coordinator.``For us, the money is wonderful. It gives us funds we don't otherwise have to spend on our kids. But the outreach is perhaps even more wonderful. Having 200 intelligent, educated women learn about our program, homelessness and homeless children is invaluable, especially for a small grass-roots organization like us.''

The Haven operates an emergency shelter, transitional apartments and a home ownership program. The nonprofit organization also has plans to open a cybercafe and family development center on Colley Avenue.

Part of an international organization, the Norfolk-Virginia Beach Junior League has members from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth. During the last decade, the group has raised and contributed some $250,000 to area community projects. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by TAMARA VONINSKI

Thaler McCormick, of the Haven Family Center, holds one of the

children who are introducing themselves to members of the

Norfolk/Virginia Beach Junior League at a meeting at Virginia

Wesleyan College.

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