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New programs will -help youth cope in today's society Chronicle Staff The provincial government will be spending more than $325,000 in the next two years to help unemployed and homeless youth in Waterloo region achieve a successful and independent lifestyle. With this funding, announced last Friday, agencies in the Region will implement a network of new pro- grams designed to assist youth, between the ages of 16 and M, with life skills, accommodation and em- ployment opportunities. Dr. Robert Seim, chairman of the Waterloo Region Social Services Resources Council explained that agencies in this region have worked since last year in an attempt to co-ordinate programs and activities to provide an "effective continuum" of services for youth in this area. The provincial funding. he said, "is recognition of an already-exist- ing system, with some money so we will be able to do an even better Job." The Ministry of Community and Social Services has allocated $84,000 to Kitehener's Lutherwood Youth Employment Counselling and Youth Employment Services sponsored by the Cambridge John Howard Soci- ety. According to Marilyn Stephenson. area manager for the provincial ministry, both agencies will use the money to hire a youth Support worker, who will "work with the youth on a one-to-one basis and teach them the skills needed to live on their own independently and suc- cessfully." The most immediate implication of this population increase, said Tumbull. is the need to step up expansion of the city's waste water treatment plant, orginally sche- duled to be constructed in 1996. (Continued no?" page 1) “In the worst situation, that would have to be brought forward by six years, so it's started by 1990," he said. “That means we're going to have to start designing it right away." Régiolnl planners also suggest that this activity will mean addi- BETTER THAN NOTHING EdrtaHittetetoet-oo,a-t-fhtatistoettttq -ttt8thtutt--oetDetarth-"ettotit-tt, new!“ In: 810,!!!) ‘Wcmuon prize from Donald -tuan,ettatrmnetottttetto-t.Htnrtet-oeteotm- Woman“ mmlonpdu. This intensive support will last from one to four months, and address such skills as budgeting, personal care. communication, how to find and keep a job and interper- sonal relationships. As well, both Lutherwood‘ and the John Howard Society will hire staff to establish and maintain a housing registry for youngsters in need of accommodation. Through the regis- try homeless youth will be directed toward suitable housing at a reason- able rate in both private residences and boarding houses. Programs at the John Howard Society will be in operation immedi- ately, while the Lutherwood proj- ects will be established within the month. "These programs are not only beneficial in a time of high un- employment, but they are a key factor toward helping youth enter the job market," said Community and Social Services Minister Ernie Eves. Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region has also received approximately $180,000 to provide a formal life-skills training program for adolescents, between the ages of 15 and 21, who are under the ministry's care. Given in a group setting over a 16-week period, the program, en- titled SOLO, will offer general life-skills training, but because it is geared toward adolescents already living in a group home setting, a major emphasis will be on helping youth involved make a successful transition from a structured envi- ronment to independent living in the community. tional land may have to be designat- ed in Waterloo to accommodate the projected residential and industrial growth, however, Tumbull noted there is more than enough vacant land to the north, west and east of Waterloo to satisfy growth dei mands. The population figures, which will be incorporated into the .eglon's omeial policy plan, indicate that try 2011. 475,815 people will live in Waterloo Region, an increase of almost so per cent over current totals. Helping those tired of being sick AA is there Catherine Miehm Chronicle staff Monday June IO, 1935 marked the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous IAA) in Akron, Ohio. It started with two men who discovered they could deal with their problem better if they had someone who could listen and understand. Fifty years later, AA has an estimated 1 million members in 60.000 groups in 112 countries around the world. Members of AA in the Waterloo region are paying tribute to this anniversary with a Gratitude Night June 10, 8 p.m. at Mutual Life Auditorium. AA has been active in this area since 1946 and there are currently 23 groups meeting regular- ly. - _ - - "There are at least 400 or 500 members in the K-W area," said John A. (not his real name), spokesman for AA. "We don't keep any records of membership." No official records is only one aspect of the strict anonymity AA strives to maintain for its members. Nobody is asked his or her name. Even the founders of the organization are remembered simply as Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. John A. believes it is this anonymity coupled with AA's simple approach to helping its members that have made the organizttion such a success. "During so years of existence AA has helped more than 2 million alcoholics," he said. "Our prime purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. The only member- ship requirement is a desire to stop drinking." Most alcoholics call AA "when they've reached a point where they're sick and tired of being sick and tired." When they call AA, an answering Service has a list of members "who are willing to go out and talk to anyone at any time." John A. said that once a person starts AA, they're wtr11 on the md to, recovory: _ _ "Some lose the craving for alcohol at the first meeting but that's the exception to the rule." he said. “It usually takes a month or two of meet- ings." - - A A hA maintains that a proper attitude towards alcoholism is very important: -- A "My ot ohm waa performed Saturday attomoon at Kitchonov Auditorium " thouoando of Maploway Aroa Guldoo.GuOdonandMondocamotooothoHoco|obrahtho 75th annlvoroary of GM GuOdoo In Canada. Such ovonta hm boon taking placo - the county to colobrato the oocaolon. The ohow woo cIooo to an bout bohind ochodulo, ikihUetet't - to 'um-t anyone‘o 0mm, Including that two “an boo." “in” "Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive. incur- able disease," John A. said. "AA describes it as 'an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind.' People who suffer from it have to realize that they are victims of an incurable illness that can be arrested by stopping intake." AA exists to help people do this. "It's a very loose organization," John A. said. "It's very therapeutic for one alcoholic to talk to another. There's a very empathetic relationship set up which is beneficial to both parties." This environment is established through two types of weekly meetings. _ _ "the first is h' discus/sion group for members only, - - H __ - A -- "The members sit around a table, drink coffee and discuss their mutual problem," John A. said. "These meetings are closed to the pub- lic." The second type is an open meeting. "These are for anyone who wishes to attend," he said. "Usually alcoholics bring their spouses, family or friends." The" highlight of these open meetings is a guest speaker who relates to the audience his or' her experiences with alcoholism: __ - A - "WPre having-a guest speaker from Toronto - Joe C. - who's very popular on the AA speaking circuit," John A. Asaid. A _ _ _ - The 50th anniversary celebration will uphold this open meeting tradition. - Us well as to members from the local clubs. invitations have been extended to members from groupsrall over south ,rtd central Ontario: Past members are especially welcome," said John A. "We think it would be good for them to touch base at this time." He is hoping for an overwhelming turn-out. "There are seats for 750 in that auditorium and we're hoping every seat will be filled." The organization believes this celebration will put AA in the public spotlight and hopes that more alcoholics will come forward to conquer their illness " a result. "We want people to know that we're here to help them stay sober one day at a time." John A. said. The number for Alcoholics Anonymous in this area is 742$183. BUSY BEES