Need for area foster homes on rise

March 5, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

The way a red twisty tie secures the unwanted in a shiny black garbage bag, Emily’s tiny fist clenched the end of the My Little Pony pillow case that now encompasses everything she owns.
Absently gazing at the miles whisking by outside the window and the stranger’s head watching the road in front of her, each of Emily’s thoughts — not being able to have Odie wake her up every morning with a wet kiss or argue with her brother for the last bowl of Fruity Pebbles — fell from her eyes in silent confusion.
If the 6-year-old little girl had done the right thing in telling her teacher what happened when her daddy wasn’t home, why is she the one who has to move far away from her familiar Barbie mansion and hop scotch buddies on the playground?
Every day, children who are victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment from across the state are moved away from their homes, their schools and, sometimes, even their counties as a suitable foster home is found for them.
In South Carolina, about two-thirds of foster children live in foster family homes, and the rest live in group care and institutional settings.
With only 16 accommodating foster homes for about 30 children in Greenwood County and 16 homes for 17 children in Abbeville County, Department of Social Services Director Tim Turner said though children are sometimes placed with a relative, there is a desperate need for more foster homes.
Turner said one of the leading reasons children are removed from their homes is abuse, caused by what he said is the rise of domestic violence locally, and those dangerous situations lead to the need for more people to become involved in foster parenting.
As many children have need for a Spanish-speaking home, or one that is able to accommodate physical needs and sibling groups, Turner said if those needs cannot be met in the area, the children will move to a home that has those capabilities in another county.
“We see situations throughout the state where there could be a child in Greenville placed in Charleston, if that’s where the need is met,” Turner said. “It’s terrible, but it happens on a daily basis. Always, our goal is to keep the child in the same city, in the same school, to make the change as least traumatic as possible.”
Eve Poole, who works in Human Services at DSS, said homes are especially needed for teenagers and babies.
She said the number one goal of DSS and foster homes is to work toward unification with the family which sometimes leads to some foster parents arranging meetings and time with the biological families to help children maintain security.
DSS does not remove a child from a home. Agency officials say only courts and law enforcement can do that. DSS can assist in investigating reports of abuse, and the agency takes over the child’s case after the child has been removed from the abusive or dangerous situation. Foster parenting does not always have to be done on a full-time basis. Part-time parenting is needed for children who live in group homes to have a place to come to on the weekends so that they can be in a family setting. And foster homes do not necessarily have to have a two parent household or be financially wealthy.
Individuals as well as couples can become licensed foster parents, and Cheri Vaughn of DSS pointed out that many children come from single-parent homes already. Parents must be able to support themselves, but children in foster families receive Medicaid and board payments to cover expenses such as food, clothing and basic needs.
DSS recommends people interested in foster parenting attend monthly Foster Parent Association meetings to talk to current fosters and get a feel for what foster parenting will entail. Though there may be concern about becoming attached to a child who might stay only a short period of time, Poole said the rewards often make foster parenting worth it.
“They’ve made a difference in that child’s life,” she said, “even if they’re only there for a short time, that’s how you have to look at it. The reward is in the bond that often carries on for years.”

Local Literacy Council helping
non-literate adults achieve goals

March 5, 2006

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

Imagine not being able to read a flier taped to a window or a letter that comes in the mail. You can’t fill out a job application or even write out a check without assistance.
For a number of adults, that scenario is reality. Studies show that as many as one in seven American adults might be unable to comprehend a job application or a newspaper’s front page. The most recent National Assessment of Adult Literacy, a study done by the U.S. Department of Education, reported that 11 million adults are non-literate in English.
“It doesn’t mean that they aren’t intelligent people,” said Sandra Owens, executive director of the Greenwood Literacy Council. “Most of them have developed exceptional life skills and many of them are successful adults and good providers for their families.”
A number of adults who are non-literate keep their inability a secret, usually from all but their spouse, Owens said. They become adept at making excuses to get out of situations in which they might be exposed. They might pat their shirt pocket or dig through a purse and proclaim, “Oh, I forgot my glasses. Could you read this to me?” or “Could you fill this out for me?” Owens said. They might ask to take a form or job application home to fill it out or ask friends or employees for summaries on reports or articles.
As with any problem, it can be difficult to acknowledge and seek help. For some adults, walking through the Literacy Council’s doors at 2005 Kateway, is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do. The majority of those who do gather the courage, however, are glad they did, she said.
The Literacy Council offers two programs to adults in the community: Basic Skills and English as a second language (ESL). Both programs are free. Basic skills tutoring is provided to English-speaking adults who have basic or below basic reading skills and to those who want to refresh their skills. Clients are assessed and a tutor is assigned to work with them individually or in a small group. The tutor begins at the reading level the client tested at and they gradually work their way up to an eighth-grade level, the highest the Literacy Council offers. Beyond that, clients are referred to their school district’s adult education program, where they can pursue their GED.
Most clients in the basic skills program didn’t finish high school and are in the age range of 30-60, Owens said. The only requirements for enrollment are that clients can’t be enrolled in school and must live or work in the county. The program also offers tutoring in basic math skills.
The possible reasons for non-literacy are numerous, as are the reasons clients decide to seek help. Some are working around undiagnosed learning disabilities and work schedules to achieve goals such as job advancement, obtaining a GED or for things most people take for granted, such a reading a bedtime story to their child.
Shirley Jones, a former home health nurse, signed up in September to study with a tutor. She wants to improve her vocabulary and reading skills because she plans to get her GED, she said. Jones has “really come in bloom,” since enrolling, said her tutor, Carolyn Strom, and Jones said she’s enjoying the opportunity to improve her literary skills. The Literacy Council has been a blessing, she said.
Anyone interested in enrolling in the program or becoming a tutor should call 223-1303 or stop by the literacy council office. Tutors do not need a college degree or teaching experience.

Samuel Edwards

CALHOUN FALLS — Samuel Edwards of 502 Seneca St., died Saturday, March 4, 2006.
Services will be announced by Friendly Funeral Home.

Ray Golden

DONALDS — James Ray Golden, 67, husband of Joy Seawright Golden, of 274 Johnny Martin Rd., died Saturday, March 4, 2006 at his home.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Don (Dawn) Yeargin, 272 Johnny Martin Road.
Services will be announced by Pruitt Funeral Home, Honea Path.

Eric M. Hughes

CROSS HILL — Eric Melvin Hughes, 41, of 1225 South Main Street, Cross Hill, husband of Chona Cabaltera Hughes, died Friday, March 3, 2006 at Hospice House, Greenwood.
Born in Spartanburg County, he was the son of Melvin and Eloise Bates Hughes.
He was a graduate of Dorman High School and was a former department manager with K-mart and later worked for Suburban Propane in Laurens. He was a longtime HAM Radio Club member in Spartanburg and Laurens, where he used his grandfather’s call letters, W4CHQ. He was a secretary/treasurer for the Laurens Amateur Radio Society; was volunteer preparedness coordinator for the Laurens County Emergency Preparedness Agency and was coordinator for the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service.
He served eight years as councilman for Cross Hill City Council as a member of the Committee on Public Safety, Fire and Health. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of Cross Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue Unit. He also served as Board Member of Another Day Ministries, for victims of violent crimes and other critical incidents.
He was an elder and much beloved member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Highway 254, Greenwood.
Surviving is his wife of the home; his parents of Cross Hill; a daughter, Amy Denise Hughes of the home; a son, Joshua Eric Hughes of the home; a sister, Katrina Valencourt of Laurens; and several aunts and uncles from Roebuck, Gaffney and Pawleys Island, S.C.
Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church with Mr. Alex Romanov officiating. Burial will be in Bethabara Baptist Church Cemetery, Cross Hill.
Pallbearers will be four members of the Cross Hill Fire Department, John Hayes and Paul Arnold.
Honorary escort will be members of the Cross Hill Fire Department.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Seventh Day Adventist Church, 114 Overlook Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Jane L. Jefferson

ABBEVILLE — Services for Jane LaRose Jefferson are 11 a.m. Monday at St. James A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Revs. Judy Richardson and James Thompson. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Garden.
Visitation is 6-7 tonight at Brown and Walker Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances Kittles

Frances Oldham Kittles, 91, of 103 Welborn Lane, widower of Willliam Melvin Kittles, died Saturday, March 4, 2006 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Athens, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Kingsley and Julia Mae Couch Oldham. She graduated from Athens Business College, was office manager for Dr. Brodrick in Dalton, Ga. and a member of Central Church of Christ.
Survivors include a son, Raymond P. Kittles of Greenwood; a daughter, Sondra Moats of Aiken; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Oakbrook Memorial Park, conducted by Everett Ward.
Visitation is 7-9 Monday at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Cinderella run ends

USC Upstate beats LU in PBC semifinals

March 5, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The 2005-06 season came to an end for the Lander University men’s basketball team Saturday night.
The eighth-seeded Bearcats fell to No. 5 USC Upstate, 76-65, in the semifinals of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at Finis Horne Arena.
The Spartans (19-9) will now face Armstrong Atlantic at 4:30 today in the tournament championship game.
The loss ended a solid tourney run for the Bearcats (9-21), who on Friday became the first No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 when they beat Columbus State.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Lander coach Bruce Evans said. “We came into this tournament with the intention of winning the championship. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that.”
Jahi Rawlings paced the Bearcats, leading all scorers with 21 points. Daniel Quinlan led USC Upstate with 17 points. The early portion of the first half belonged to USC Upstate.
Using a pair of hoops, by guard Luke Payne — including a rainbow-style 3-pointer — the Spartans seized momentum right away.
Despite a stop-and-pop jumper from Jason Davis, Lander trailed 13-6 with 12:35 left in the half.
The Spartans kept the heat on as the half continued. USCU forward Ante Pikunic was particularly tough, controlling the paint with several offensive rebounds and two hard fought bank shots in the paint. Lander got a 3-pointer from Michael Griffin, but USC Upstate still held a 25-14 advantage with 4:56 left in the half.
USCU then used a 3 apiece from Payne and freshman Quinlan to carry a 31-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Lander continued to lag behind when the second half commenced. Piknunic’s work inside continued, as the 6-foot-7 junior nailed a turnaround jumper early in the second half, following that with a layup off a backdoor cut with 14:44 remaining. The shot put USCU ahead 39-20.
Quinlan made his mark for the Spartans in the second half, as well. He hit a 3 and than a layup to give Upstate a 45-25 lead.

Public’s taste in movies doesn’t help win awards

March 5, 2006

Gratuitous sex, gutter language and violence have become synonymous with today’s television, recordings, movies and indeed live “entertainment.” Many parents in Greenwood and elsewhere have expressed concern over what their children are subjected to. That’s not all, though. There are other “lessons” to be found in a variety of mediums.
For example, some motion pictures are made for the sake of art or to deliver a “message.” All are made with the expectation they will make a profit ..... or at least break even. You’d think, then, that what the movie-going public thinks would have an impact on determining the quality of films. Sometimes, though, it appears the money-spending public is the last to be considered.

TAKE THE ACADEMY AWARD nominations this year for best picture. Although South Carolinians don’t always see all of them, they at least read and hear enough about them to form opinions. Ask some of these people and it’s a good chance they’d say that three movies left off the list this year were short-changed.
The pictures nominated this year were “message” films ..... social and political. The three highest grossing films, however, were pure escapist screen fare. For awards, though, they were ignored.
The fact that more people paid to see the three than any others would seem to indicate the public thought they were pretty good. But, then, the public, fool that it is, no doubt expected to be entertained for the price of a ticket and not lectured or subjected to celluloid brainwashing.
The movies with the highest sales of tickets were “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter,” and “Narnia.” As in years past, the top selling movies never got any Oscar nominations as best picture ..... even though they have been very popular with the paying public.

WHEN YOU GET RIGHT DOWN to it, then, the entertainment values of the movies the public likes don’t seem to get much attention when the awards are handed out, That’s because the public doesn’t get a vote. Only members of the Academy do that. Keep in mind, then, that when the Oscars are handed out this year the winners are not necessarily what the public would choose.
There is, however, that one thing that leaves no doubt about who chooses what. That’s the tickets sold, for that’s the public speaking. And, the majority of the public almost always favors the pictures that entertain instead of those made to influence public opinion. It’s also interesting that they are the ones that usually portray the values that have historically reflected the family life that has long passsed the test of time.