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

DATE: SUNDAY, January 29, 1995                   TAG: 9501300064
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TRUST SAYING GOODBYE TO ITS ZANY FUND-RAISING DIRECTOR

Israel, known for his elaborate fund-raising stunts, said he has accepted a position as director of development and marketing for Virginia Amateur Sports, the organization that oversees the Virginia Commonwealth Games.

"I've been executive director of TRUST for eight years and was a volunteer for two years before that," Israel, 45, said Friday. Leaving "was not an easy decision, but I felt the need to make a change."

While the move has puzzled some, the change is not as drastic as it sounds, Israel said.

"Youth activities have always been a focus of mine," he said. "Recreational activities have proven to be a good method of prevention of substance abuse and help with self-esteem."

TRUST, founded 25 years ago, is a nonprofit 24-hour crisis intervention center and emergency shelter. In his eight years with the agency, Israel has watched it change physically and financially.

It moved in 1987 from Williamson Road to Roanoke's Old Southwest neighborhood, after City Council rejected its request for a rezoning that would have enabled it to move to a house one block behind the Williamson Road location.

The agency's budget has grown from $70,000 to $170,000, Israel said. Funding it receives from United Way of Roanoke Valley alone has nearly tripled - from $30,000 to $80,000.

In 1993, TRUST served more than 10,000 clients, from newborns to 89-year-olds. Services ranged from a store voucher for a mother who had fled an abusive home with her children, to mental health assistance.

TRUST's services have expanded to include Teenline, a hotline staffed by trained teen volunteer listeners. A "travelers' program" was started to help needy people with transportation.

TRUST started as "more of a grass-roots program," Israel said. "Now we've become mainstream, a little more sophisticated."

Israel says he will miss the agency, particularly the volunteers who spend hours counseling people on relationships, substance abuse, rape and spousal and child abuse.

"The people who do this kind of work are very special people, very compassionate, warmhearted people who are willing to take other people's problems and help them."

And he will miss the "cornball, extraordinary" fund-raisers - spending three days in a race car parked in Tanglewood Mall; living for three days at the side of a billboard.

But "the Roanoke Valley has not heard the last of Stuart Israel," he said. "I will continue to work to improve the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley."