Program reaches out to kids in need close to home

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Holly Wood, left, recently took the coordinator’s role for the Kids of the Community program, which offers activities for foster children, at-risk children and juvenile offenders. She replaces Mickey Powell, right. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Reminding Warren countians there is a need within our own community this holiday season, coordinators for Kids of the Community say they need local residents to come together to help the worthy program.

“People help the less fortunate a lot this time of year, helping to make sure children far away are provided for during the holidays,” said Juvenile Court assistant Mickey Powell. “But we need to remember there are needy kids right here in our community. There are children in our own neighborhoods who go without.”

Helping these children has become the mission of the Kids of the Community program which has blossomed over the past year. The program seeks to provide activities for foster children, at-risk children and juvenile offenders, hoping to impact their lives in a positive way while they are at an impressionable age.

“We try to have two events, one for each group once a month,” said Holly Wood, coordinator for Kids of the Community. “We average helping about 150 juveniles and about 250 at-risk and foster children, and there is an even greater need than that. There’s a lot of at-risk children in McMinnville.”

The events range from bowling and skate parties to dances and game nights, all of which are hosted and paid for by private donations. Juvenile offenders are required to attend the functions as part of their probation; however, Powell said they always end up having fun even though they are required to be there.

“It does get expensive when you’re helping that many kids,” Powell said. “We rely solely on private donations and help from civic clubs and churches.”

Powell said the functions provide a fun, safe environment for children, some of whom rarely get to go anywhere. Some of the children Kids of the Community took to the fair this past year said it was the first time they had ever been to the fair.

“We can provide at least one day or night where they are safe and they have contact with other children their age under adult supervision,” Powell said.

Wood said the group is in need of donations to fund its ongoing projects.

“It can be a donation of $10 even, because that will help,” Wood said.

They are also seeking sponsors to help host the activities. Sponsorship can range anywhere from coordinating and hosting the event to financing an event. Kids of the Community helps provide adult supervision during the functions.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or sponsor an event may contact Wood at 473-6043.