Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 18, 1993 TAG: 9311200256
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By Paul Dellingeir staff writer
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
The concept for the temporary shelter grew out of an informal study, dating back to January, by representatives of various social and educational agencies who had all encountered problems because no shelter exists in the county.
A nominating committee was formed following last month's announcement of the project at a breakfast meeting of community leaders at Pulaski County High School.
Committee members are New River Community College President Ed Barnes; Pulaski County Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director Nancy Bowman; Pulaski Chapter NAACP President Joe Reed; and retired school principal Jeanne Whitman.
People interested in serving on the shelter board, or who would like to suggest someone to serve, can contact any of these four committee members, Superintendent Bill Asbury, or the Pulaski County School Board office at 980-2237 with suggestions.
Superintendent Bill Asbury said the group is seeking people from a variety of fields whose experience would be helpful in making decisions about finding a location for the shelter and operating it once it is open.
``But the primary ingredient that we're looking for is interest in kids,'' he said. ``They'll actually be a governing body for the shelter.''
The governing board will probably be involved in raising money to build the shelter or renovate an existing building to house it, drawing up policies for shelter operations, and hiring the staff for it.
The shelter, when complete, could house eight to 10 young people at a time for a matter of days. Admission to the shelter would be voluntary.
People from the school system, Pulaski Office on Youth, Court Services Unit, Community Action, Pulaski County Department of Social Services and Pulaski Police Department have all dealt with youngsters having no place to go for temporary shelter.
That common problem was what brought them together early this year to work on a solution. With no shelters closer than Roanoke or Wytheville, they are hoping to come up with a program that can be a model for the rest of the New River Valley.
But that will be entirely up to the governing board, once its members are appointed. The appointments will probably be made sometime in December.
Members of the Pulaski County High School Players presented a scene from their upcoming play, ``Midway,'' at last month's informational breakfast depicting problems that young people and their families can have.
The entire play, an original production, will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Little Theatre at Pulaski County High School. Admission is $1, with a portion slated to go toward the shelter project.
by CNB