
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994                    TAG: 9406010177 
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN                     PAGE: 08    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 
DATELINE: 940602                                 LENGTH: SUFFOLK

KING'S KIDS HELPS TEENS TAKE RIGHT PATH \

{LEAD} IN THE FIVE YEARS since it was organized, King's Kids of America Inc. has grown in membership from 35 to more than 200 teens.

Five chapters now sponsor weekly meetings at Colander Bishop Meadows Apartments, Hoffler Apartments, Cypress Manor Apartments-Parker Riddick Village and Heritage Acres Apartments, and at Faith Temple Apostolic Church, where it all began.

{REST} ``Things are going really well,'' said Bishop Obadiah Colander, who helped organize King's Kids in 1989.

Motivated by the needs of local youths, and in particular the plight of one-parent families, Colander issued a plea for help that year to his congregation at Faith Temple Apostolic Church.

Betty Milteer Knight and Brenda Nichols were among those who volunteered.

Knight is now the full-time executive director of the organization.

Nichols, a nurse at John Yeates Middle School, is assistant director. Others in the city have joined in the effort.

At the group's recent annual fund-raising banquet, King's Kids received donations from 28 local businesses and organizations.

Colander realized that by helping those in need he could in turn help the whole community.

``We believe in the principles of God's Word,'' Colander said. ``We won't give up the fight for our youth, and we won't give up hope.''

The goal of the non-profit organization is to develop well-rounded individuals who can be positive assets to their communities and society.

The weekly group meetings are led by three- or four-member adult teams. Each team has at least one male member.

Volunteers are carefully screened and trained in youth leadership and counseling.

Sessions focus on such subjects as heritage and culture, manners and etiquette, relationships, health and safety, leadership skills and money management.

Spiritual values and training form the foundation for all areas of the curriculum, Nichols said.

Loretta Johnson, a professor at Hampton University, serves as a consultant and educational specialist for the organization.

Along with a weekly program, activities also include community projects, field trips, picnics, sports events and social functions.

Knight said she has noted positive changes in behavior, better social skills, growth in understanding and knowledge about real-life issues, improvement in grades and a rise in self-esteem among participants.

``Many kids have also started attending churches,'' Knight said.

by CNB