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September 7, 2001/Elul 19, 5761, Vol. 53, No.48
Woman hopes to give teens skills to succeed
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Sue Barenholtz, center, pictured here with her husband, Rick Beren and daughter, Michelle Beren, is in the process of opening a nonprofit teen center for residents of group homes.
Photo courtesy of Sue Barenholtz
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Growing up. It's tough for everyone, even kids who come from loving families, have a support system of friends and attend good schools. Imagine the struggle of kids growing up with no family, no friends and switching schools every few weeks or months.
This is the case with children who live in group homes - children who were taken from their parents by Child Protective Services due to abuse and neglect. Teens are at particular risk because at the age of 18, they leave the system and must make a life of their own - often without the skills necessary to do so.
Sue Barenholtz, president of The Center for Business Excellence, has started a program, Opportunities & Role Models for Youth (ORY Center), to assist teens who live in CPS group homes in developing life skills for a successful future.
The idea for ORY Center was hatched when Barenholtz became involved in the Special Friends program through Parents Anonymous. The Special Friends program matches adults with children who live in group homes.
Barenholtz was paired with a 13-year-old boy, Ory, for whom she decided to name the center. She says that despite warnings from the program trainers that the group home kids are distrustful, dishonest and unable to maintain relationships, she saw a different side to Ory.
"This child changed my life," she explains. "I just saw in him something other people don't because he's just a number to everyone else."
After spending time with Ory, Barenholtz says her eyes were opened to what happens in group homes. From frequent moves - often every few weeks or months - to underpaid, poorly trained staff.
"They don't have a lot of care given to them," she says. "I would just walk in and see the vacant eyes in these kids."
She explains that in group homes, there are usually five to ten kids, ages 8-17, generally grouped by age. Most homes have three shifts of employees who care for the kids. While each child has a litany of professionals assigned to their case - from attorneys to social workers to probation officers - few have adults in their lives to care for their needs.
Barenholtz says many of the children don't even have basic knowledge about manners or communication skills because they haven't had the opportunity to grow up in a family where those things are part of daily life. Of particular concern to her is the fact that when the teens turn 18, they are out of the system. At 18, these children - many of whom lack the most basic social skills - are forced to become totally independent at an age when any young adult would struggle.
The idea for ORY Center came to Barenholtz at a time in her life when she says she was looking for a change. She had been running her own business, coaching, consulting and training, for 20 years. Additionally, she had spent time volunteering with Camp CEO, a summer camp run by Valley businesswomen to teach high school girls business skills. Some friends suggested blending the ideas of Camp CEO and wanting to help teens in group homes, and Barenholtz came up with idea for ORY Center.
The center will serve teens ages 12-18. They will come from their group homes to the center after school, on the weekends and during the summer. There will be three levels of services for teens of different ages.
The first level will teach life skills: getting along with people, manners, social skills and etiquette.
The second level will teach skills for finding and succeeding in a first job. There will also be groups to address such issues as drugs, alcohol use and teenage pregnancy.
The third level will work toward getting the teens through high school and preparing them for life afterward - college, trade school or work. Barenholtz wants them to pursue "whatever dream they have. They shouldn't be limited because they're a group home kid."
Students at the third level will participate in career nights, where visitors from different professions will talk to the children about their jobs and what it takes to get there. The teens will then be matched with a mentor who works in a profession that interests them.
The center will also provide classes in cooking, woodworking and art, so the teens can figure out what they enjoy doing and what interests them. There will be counselors and social workers to address their emotional needs.
Because group home residents can't generally participate in sports and after-school activities because of the paperwork involved, Barenholtz plans to include indoor and outdoor recreation. Participants will also be able to earn points toward activities such as concerts, ballgames and museum visits.
Barenholtz has decided to put her business on hold and invest three months into getting the center up and running. A board of directors has been formed and the organization is currently in the fund-raising stage.
Barenholtz hopes to raise $100,000 by the end of the year in order to open the center in January. She is looking for volunteers to serve on the board and on committees and to help with fund raising. Additionally, she hopes that a vehicle for transportation to and from the group homes will be donated.
Currently, the board is made up of Barenholtz, president; Rick Beren, vice-president; Jill Mapstead, director of administration; Chris Holbert, director of public relations and marketing; Kim Dublak, director of programs; Rich Rose, director of operations; Maria Hinderleider, director of development/fund raising; and board member at large, Meryl Rose.
Barenholtz, a transplant from Michigan, has lived in the Valley for more than three years with her husband, Rick Beren. She also has a daughter, Michelle Beren, 22, who lives in Michigan.
An orientation for new volunteers will be held 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10. Monthly meetings are held to explain the mission of ORY Center in more depth. Call for locations and information, 602-971-6444.
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