Volunteer board helps children

MAT-SU -- Everybody always hears horrific stories of children in peril, but all too often, they don't do a thing about it. The board of directors of Kids are People Inc., has taken an active role in trying to help children in the Valley, however.

Laura Miller, Ann Drago, Jim Holen, Una Kernodle, Jill Ebelin and Debbie Price are all volunteers on the Kids are People Inc., board of directors. Through their voluntary involvement, the Valley organization operates the Dorothy Saxton Shelter, and a number of other similar programs that reach out to troubled youth of the Valley.

"We've got folks from a number of disciplines, and that is very helpful," said John Stein, executive director for Kids are People Inc.

In six years, the number of children who have been helped by the Dorothy Saxton Shelter numbers more than 1,000. The shelter recently relocated, but Kids are People Inc. is still leasing the former property, with big plans.

A long-term housing and life skills training shelter are in the process of being opened at the former Saxton Shelter location. Many children who have no place to go lack life skills, and the new center is one place where they can go to be better prepared.

There are a number of opportunities for people to get involved with the Kids are People Inc. organization.

"We are looking for folks to mentor older teens to get them into independent living situations," Stein said.

"We are also looking for guest insructors who can come in and talk with older teens in the transitional living program," Stein said.

Some of the instructors will cover everything from landlord issues to automobile maintenance and household issues.

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