Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505170004
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: AIMEE RATLIFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"They took us on nice field trips to the zoo, skating, and swimming," recalled Golden." They were always trying to get us to learn and took us places our parents couldn't since they had to work."
Golden, who attended the center for eight years, attributes part of her success as a student to the time she spent at Northwest. "Most of the friends that I have now are from the center," she added.
Reginald Reynolds, a freshman at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, was not at the celebration, but his father, John, contributed by making a video of the celebration.
Staff at the center, John Reynolds said, taught his son "a lot of things that kids should know at the elementary age. He always enjoyed being there and since has done very well in school. At that age, the exposure a child gets might mean what direction in life he or she will take and what they will be interested in."
In addition to showcasing its accomplishments, the center used its anniversary to get more support from the community. It has some special needs.
The center needs a new commercial stove. The oven on the old stove has not worked for several months, but Eloise Greavely, the center's cook has been a "miracle worker" as she continues to provide nourishing meals from USDA approved menus, said Audrey Wheaton, center director.
Center staff and a group of volunteers, led by Cheryl Manning, are contacting Roanoke-area organizations and individiuals for help in buying a new stove that will cost approximately $2,000.
The center doesn't have the money to buy the new stove because it's using all available funds for staff salaries and day-to-day expenses, said Carl Tinsley, chairman of the center's board of directors.
Also, he said, rent on the Melrose Avenue facility has increased. The center is now paying $600 a month in rent, compared to only $1 a year for its first 10 years. It expects substantial increases each of the next five years under a lease with the Southwest Virginia Community Development Fund.
Wheaton and Tinsley said one of the board of directors' goals is to buy the facility and expand.
"We use every bit of space that we have," Wheaton said. "Our sick room has a shower stall in it, but we use it as a storage closet.''
Enrollment at the center, licensed to serve 100, is strong now, said Wheaton, but staff members have not had raises in several years. Some are working for $4.25 an hour.
The pay, however, doesn't bother Ronnie Jordan, who has been working for the center since it opened. He drives the bus and does odd jobs.
Jordan, a former YWCA custodian, said working with children has been his "career, and I have no regrets."
"It has been worth it just getting to know the kids and community members," said Jordan, adding, "I'm kind of like a father figure away from home to the children at the center."
Effective Monday, the center increased its fees to help pay salary increases. Wheaton said the center needs to raise salaries to retain the qualified individuals it has and to attract more.
Families pay a fee based on their income and the number in the family. Those at the top end pay the maximum, $65 a week, said Tinsley. Some fees also are subsidized, but Wheaton said she's noticed that more parents are making full payments.
In addition to fees, the center gets about a third of its funding from the United Way and relies on donations.
Wheaton said she also is writing grants to get more funds. "The money is out there, you just have to know how to go about getting it. We go from month to month and it's stressful. We couldn't make it without the United Way as we get about a third of our funds from them."
\ Northwest Child Development Center opened on March 1,1983 on the site of the old Melrose Elementary School. The new center was the result of the efforts of the Community Organization for Research and Development, a community group, to find suitable day care in Northwest Roanoke for families with low to moderate incomes. Federal funds for the center were the results of proposals written by the Southwest Virginia Community Development Fund, CORE's parent organization, which now owns the center.
The center's 20 staff members provides services to children from age 2 to 12 in preschool and in before- and after-school programs. About 40 volunteers, such as Frederick Golden, who plays piano for the children, and Leslie Fields who has started the Tiny Tots Creative Dance Program for an extra fee, are at the center regularly. Other volunteers include parents, community, and board members.
The center also has foster grandparents from the League of Older Americans who donate time in the classrooms and assist the teachers.
"The children come from various backgrounds and from neighborhoods where there is history of high crime. This is really like a haven for them. They are safe here as we don't have any problems with the neighbors. They also eat well, and have nap time," said Wheaton.
When the children are not in class or playing, they might take field trips to local libraries, museums, restaurants, or even to see a play.
"If the children were not here they would probably be at home watching television, or staying with a neighbor or relative. They would not be learning and their parents would not be able to work and get the training they need to support themselves."
Staff members also work with the Rainbow Riders Child Care Center in Blacksburg, which received a grant to provide educational training to other child-care centers through mentoring.
``This opportunity has allowed us to implement parts of their system," said Wheaton. "They stress that children learn best through play and when they're in a social setting."
The Northwest Child Development Center, 1523 Melrose Ave. N.W., may be reached by calling 342-0233.
by CNB