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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1986)
r \ Nursery program offers children love and support By Tonnie Dakin Of the Kmwratd For many children, simply growing up can be a harrowing experience. Child abuse — physical, mental or emo tional — often can take away the simplistic joys of youth and scar an in dividual for life. University students and others have an opportunity to help such abused children by volunteering their time, ef fort and love at the l.ane County Relief Nursery. The children who attend the nursery range in age from six weeks to six years. Most of them are referred by the Children's Services Division of the State Agency on Child Welfare, says Maria Rodriguez, program director. If child abuse is suspected in the home, the CSI) is called to investigate and the family is assigned a case worker, she says. The children are usually sent to the relief nursery, she says. The children are enrolled two days a week for three hours a day. There are 72 children currently involved with the program. Rodriguez Says. ■'All the kids in the program are cur rently living at home, although they may have been in foster care before.” Rodriguez says. "The purpose of the program is to try to keep families together." One way this is achieved is through the nursery's Intensive F’arenl Training Program, implemented for parents whose children are at imminent risk of removal from the home, she says. V. r because the state is required to try to help as much as possible before separating a child from his parents, the program attempts to teach parents to establish emotional bonds with their children and practice non-physical forms of discipline. Rodrigue/ says. The nursery operates out of complete ly donated facilities in two different locations. Although both are funded by the t Initial Way. much of the program's income comes from donations from the church and private fundings, savs Rodriguez Volunteers are an important part of the nursery because they reduce the need for a paid staff, she says. The nursery’s volunteer coordinator is Judy Hrown-King. Olympic silver medalist in the 400-meter hurdles. “Judy was literally running by one day and she saw the nursery." says Rodriguez. “She loves kids hut she can't 'have any until the Olympics are over, so she volunteers.tr> fill the gap." "Volunteers are interviewed, screen ed and trainer! before entering the pro gram." says administrator lean Phelps. "They don't necessarily maul to have had any experience working wit hr children, but it is very important that volunteers have good self-esteem They must also be patient, flexible and loving." • Volunteers are ulso screened to make sun; that they have positive self-images in order to hr; abb; to forms on the children, says Rodriguez. Alex Kolodkin, a 28-year-old graduate student in molecular biology. hiis bean volunteering for the program since lust fall. kolodkin is involved in the transput tution aspect of the program. Hucause parents don’t often have the time, money or mobility to drive their children to the nursery, the state pro vides a vehicle to transport them. Rodriguez says. kolodkin volunteers his time one morning a week and transports about 12 children each trip. "Although I interact somewhat with the children. I would like to he able to s|>end time with them at the nursery.” he says. “I'm interested in the programmes a social service," he says. "I think child 7’m interested in the pro gram as a social service. 1 think child abuse is a pro blem which needs to be dealt with.* — Alex Kolodkin abuse is a problem which mssis It* I* dealt with.” ° The nursery als«i receives volunteers through tin1 University's KSCAI’K pro gram!- which oilers a practician lor students volunteering a minimum nunllier ol hours Cjrystal Thdmas. a 22-year-old human services major, is a practician worker Spring Clearance Save 25% to 50% m~mm _ _ Off Original Prices* Throughout The Entire Store Designer Sportswear Updated and Active Sportswear Junior Sportswear Dresses and Suits Jackets and Blazers Jewelry and Accessories Lingerie * Intermediate markdowns may have been taken CAMPUS w ho usually puts in six hours a week at lho nursery. "The ESCAPE program really ties in with jny major." she says, "because I plan to work with abused and neglected kids as a career." Thomas recommends the prog™™ as a way to get involved in volunteer pro grams suc h as the nursery. "At first I wasn't sure what sort of kids I wanted to work with.” she says. "After doing my practicum work through the ESCAPE program. I've decided what I want to do The nursery is a wonderful, incredible place to work." Practicum members often continue to. work as volunteers after the term Is over. Rodriguez savs. I’he program also involves graduate students from the Clinical Services Special Education program who also do practicum work at the nursery Rodriguez says. Craduale students' often do full developmental screening on... , ear i> child to see il tliey nuttli further ' help in the program she savs both Rodriguez and Phelps stress the..', importance of volunteers at the nursery . “Because of the large mimlierof volunteers, the kids get the individual . attention that they need.'' Phelps savs ■ In lieing .1 volunteer vou almost always gain more Ilian .you give. / Without our volunteers, the program couldn’t go on." .* • • Students interesterl in volunteering at J' the relief nurserv (•in 1 oelai I . |u«ly Brown king at 4M4~0?02 ;•