
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 5, 1993                   TAG: 9312030122
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Beth Macy
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Volunteer community-service hours to groups like Teen Outreach Program, which builds self-esteem among at-risk youth and has been proved to reduce teen-pregnancy rates in some cities. Cheri Hartman, the volunteer director, needs more individuals and companies to support the program. Dillard Paper Co., for instance, releases six male employees weekly to serve as role models and to drive the students to their service sites. Call 985-0151 to volunteer.

Marian Crenshaw, director of Roanoke's Office on Youth, is looking for volunteers to start new programs for at-risk youth. "There are things that we as a community can do at low or no cost, if we work together," she says. For instance, a man recently phoned her to propose a valleywide exchange program that would foster understanding among blacks and whites. Call Crenshaw at 981-2349 to volunteer. Crenshaw is also helping organize Monday's citywide task force meeting on teen pregnancy.

Get involved in your child's family-life education. The schools welcome review of the curriculum, according to Annie Harmon, executive assistant to the superintendent and a member of the committee examining ways to improve the curriculum. Call 981-2381.

The Department of Social Services needs and accepts donations of baby clothes, strollers and other infant items for its Pregnant Teen/Teen Parent program. Call 981-2666 to donate items.

Join your child's Parent Teacher Association, which can provide educational materials for parents on topics such as teen pregnancy. Parents who already belong to a PTA have a responsibility to get uninvolved parents involved and to help educate the entire parent-student population, according to Marsha Ellison, president of the central council PTA. "A lot of times we have wonderful programs, but no one shows up," she says. Call your child's school for a PTA contact.

by CNB