
DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9711010300

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Scott McCaskey 
                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

LORI VANHORN COORDINATOR FOR VOLUNTEERS IN YOUTH SERVICES

Lori VanHorn has been putting to good use her sociology degree from Old Dominion University.

As a program coordinator for Chesapeake Volunteers In Youth Services, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves the city's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, VanHorn has helped hundreds of at-risk youth.

``I actually started out as a volunteer here doing an internship at ODU,'' said VanHorn, a 35-year-old Chesapeake native. ``I've been here 11 years.''

The Volunteer In Youth Services organization has 15 programs, ranging from Big Brother/Big Sister to job training to community service. VanHorn is the program coordinator for the Juvenile Conference Committee, where first-time offenders aged 6 to 18 are sent in front of a panel, instead of a court, to discuss their crime, life and future.

After a series of interactive meetings, the panel, the youth and family formulate a contract for redemption. Volunteers are assigned to monitor the case and act as a liaison between the youth, family and VanHorn.

``Since the program began in 1985, we have had a 85- to 90-percent success rate,'' VanHorn said. ``I think that is due to early intervention and personal contact.

Bill Cuthriell is the executive director for Chesapeake Volunteers In Youth Services.

``Lori's done a great job in that program, and that's one of our most important programs,'' said Cuthriell, a Virginia Beach resident who is originally from Deep Creek. ``A volunteer group in British Columbia heard about us, and Lori gave them some guidance over the phone about our program and helped them to get started.''

VanHorn grew up in and lives in the city's Indian River section.

``. . . The volunteer effort here is unbelievable, and that's pretty inspiring,'' she said, adding that more volunteers are always needed.

``We need more volunteers, from all walks of life,'' she said. ``It's very interesting. You get to see all different kinds of parenting skills, and can go one-to-one with the kids. You can directly help reduce the delinquency problem.''

Full name: Lori VanHorn

Birthdate: December, 12, 1961

Occupation: Program coordinator, Chesapeake Volunteers In Youth Services, Inc.

Hometown: Chesapeake

Marital status: Engaged to Alton R. Wynne Jr.

Children: None

Pets: Rita, my cat

Hobbies: Fishing, traveling, bowling, horseback riding

Perfect day off: Any day is a perfect day off

Favorite restaurant: Fellini's, Italian

Favorite music: Top 40

Favorite book and author: The ``Chicken Soup for the Soul,'' series