Area problem girls given new chance
By CAROLYN BOWERS Kansan Staff Writer
A chance for girls to grow up in Lawrence without being sidetracked by unhappy family situations is being sought through a local community organization.
The chance will be in the form of a foster home that houses five or six pre-delinquent girls, ages 12 to 16, who, through a difficult home life, may be headed for trouble during their late teen years.
The program will allow the girls to remain within the community during their rehabilitation. Mrs. Catherine McCree, community organizer of the Lawrence Office of Economic Opportunity, and Mrs. Cynthia Turner, neighborhood developer of the Ballard Community Center, first recognized the home's need after realizing that the only rehabilitation centers for girls were the Girls' Industrial School or other such institutional homes.
They brought their ideas to Leanard Harrison, acting director of the Ballard Center, and the three organized the project.
"We are trying to provide a home situation," Harrison said in explaining the project's aim, "a home with two parents that offers things like allowances and home activities such as cleaning and cooking meals."
The "parents" will act in that capacity by carrying the responsibility for the girls' care and training. A part-time social worker will counsel both the girl and her family during and after the girl's stay in the home.
"They (the staff) can help the family understand what the problems of their child are and help them accept their child's need to have a different kind of home situation," explained Donald Lira, licensing supervisor in the Division of Children's Services in the State Department of Social Welfare.
The girls themselves will help decide which of their behavioral problems need the most attention. Plans for rehabilitation can then be made according to the individual need.
"We're trying to get away from the traditional institutional program with rigid rules where others decide the program and the girls have no say in it," a project assistant said.
Harrison said the home will be the first of its kind offered to girls
SCLC to Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY (UPI) — Two top representatives of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) said Sunday "if Oklahoma City has to be another Birmingham, Selma or Charleston, then it will be."
through state or federal appropriations in Kansas. Applications for funds will be made after the operating budget has been determined.
Johnson said he probably would return to Atlanta Monday to report to the SCLC head. He said the SCLC was prepared to "dump its whole organization in Oklahoma City if necessary."
The purely non-discriminatory home will admit girls on the following basis: (Girls living within Douglas County will be given priority.)
- Girls who have been observed as potential delinquents by the juvenile court for exhibiting such behavior as running away from home, shoplifting, truancy or vagrancy.
- Girls referred by other agencies such as the welfare office, or schools who may benefit from living in the home.
In addition to various Lawrence counseling services and vocational training groups, certain departments within the University of Kansas will be employed to write proposals, give advice and lend skills.
14 KANSAN Nov. 3 1969
- Girls who are not allowed to live in their homes or whose home situation are unbearable due to internal family conflicts.
"We are trying to reach a medium through this project where the University and the community can work together," Harrison said.
Although he has consulted University faculty members and students for advice and planning, Harrison stressed that the home is strictly a "community-oriented project."
The North Lawrence Group Boarding Home, a non-profit corporation of nine to fifteen people, will be formed after approval of funds. It will lease the home from the owner, name it, approve all research and evaluation done within the home and conduct all business affairs.
The corporation will also hire each staff member and evaluate and determine the home's effectiveness.
Although application will be made for federal funds, each girl will be supported during her stay in the home by her referral agency.
Records & Stereo Malls Shopping Ctr
A ONE-DAY EXHIBITION & SALE Graphics presented by
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November
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
More than 400 lithographs, etchings,
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Also MANUSCRIPTS AND MAPS
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Hilltopper
Applications and Nominations
- Due November 10. Turn in at the information Desk in the Student Union.
- Selection will be based mainly on one criteria-whether the student has made an impact on KU:whether he left this school changed. This will include a far wider range of candidates than before.Keep that in mind.
- NOMINATIONS should be signed by 3 students. The nomination should include a list of activities and/or accomplishments of the nominee, his address, his phone number, school, major, and GPA.
- SELF-NOMINATIONS OR APPLICATIONS should include letters of recommendations by 2 students or 1 student and 1 faculty member, a list of activities and/or accomplishments, his address, his phone number, school, major, and GPA.
- All candidates must be classified as SENIORS.
- Selection will be made by a committee of 3 faculty members and 6 students.