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Show The Sail Like Tribune. .human Wedm-Ml.n- , 2- -. 1Mi VV 7 Days Pass Slowly for Utahs Street Kids Continued From VW-- l of heir time on the streets in aid Richard Parks, educational ( O' rdinator of the Stafford School The school, an extension of the LDS Hospital Adolescent Psychiatry Department, attempts to educate students who, like Tammy, have left the regular school system. "A street kid is someone who is not H l health sergetting basic services vices, mental health services, and educational services, said Mr. Parks "They don't get these things because theyre not connected with the usual institutions, like school and their families." Unlike runaways, the majority of street kids float between living on the street and at home. "Technically they have a home they can go to, said Mr. Parks, yet many of them prefer to stay on the street." In Tammys case it was an abusive mother and bad relationship with her stepmother that drove her from both her mother and fathers homes. Her mother slept during the day and worked nights, leaving Tammy alone most of the time. She was eventually given to her father, who lived in Utah. "Mom couldnt decide whether she wanted me or not, she said with an unaffected look. When she wanted me back, she would kidnap me from school, and take me back to Oregon. This went on from the time I was 5 until I was nine." When her mother Countys finally decided she didn't want her. Tammy then faced the rejection of her stepmother and decided to leave home permanently. There she found a society of many drug abuse, fxxir health, problems poor nutrition and psychological Mr. Parks estimates roughly 70 percent of street kids have attempted suicide. "Suicide, running away, and being a hellion isnt something they enjoy, and those kids who act like they like it are just covering up," said "Cathy," a with carefully curled face blonde hair framing a made-u- p and blue eyes. She also allowed a Tribune interview on the condition her true name not be printed. problems "Its harder for people who havent been through it to understand what its really like. They understand, but in a way they dont. she said, struggling to explain. They understand it in the sense that theyre being sympathetic, but they don't because they haven't been through it. While her peers spend their time attending football games and school dances and dreaming of their first car, life on the street requires a preoccupation with basic survival -where to sleep and what to eat. female friends from the street practice prostitution, though she maintains she never would let anyone use me that way. Most of Cathys Economic hardships, restrictive housing and overbreeding of pets during .the Christmas season have all contributed to a serious pet abandonment problem in Salt Lake County. At this time of year, people dont have much extra money and, unfortu- - Heres Roundup Of Recreation mo-leste- fast-foo- d . . theres mCHipit m y Cathys average day is sim.lurly ard long. We usually walk dull around looking for some friends to hang out with, go to a doll ir movie or sneak in if we dont have the money; shoplift or hot vire a car and go going from car to car to see what can be stolen spikes, crosses, halldeulK etc Street kids are all user Utah Iml concentrate in the downtown areas where its easier to get lost m the shuffle The busier it is. the easier to hide from the police or anvone else that may In looking Cathy said When night approaches, finding a place to sleep depends on knowing other street kids "Once you have connections, you're fine. If someone's parents are gone you cun stay there or sneak in while their parents are " asleep and leave early The attic and are garage usually best, because parents rarely go there, she said Foster homes, shelters, and other public programs are also available for these youths, but many of them have been through the system and refuse to cooperate with officials or recognize the options they offer But despite the grim reality that confronts these children on a daily basis, they still hold dreams about a key , better nately, the pet is usually the first thing to go," said Kathi Prevost, information coordinator of the Salt Lake County Animal Services. Because many people move, live where pets are not allowed or receive an unwanted pet for Christmas, there has been an increasing number of dogs and cats being dumped in areas. Teople seem to think that they will find a home or fend for themselves, Ms. Prevost said. In reality, pets survive only for a short while by scavenging among garbage cans or attacking wildlife or livestock. All abandoned pets will die within one year from disease, injury, starvation, dehydration or cruelty, Ms. Prevost added. Animal services suggest that people take responsibility for their pets and determine a way of keeping the animals or take them to the animal shelter Animal services is unable to accept White Thermal Poly Dress Prints Price 50' t Less than Comp. Retail Pro e 70 Less than Comp. Ret. Gathered Lace Price 50' h Less than Comp. Ret. Price 50' r less than Comp. Ret. Unbleached Muslin life. Cathy express her desire to finish high school and eventually get a job "Once Im living somewhere stable, she said, then Ill get an apartment Im just looking to make it through this time where people aren't messing with me, Tammy said "I want to finish school, and continue " working with animals Price 75'r less than Comp. Ret. Price 50' 7 less than Comp. Ret. Thread Brushed Tricot (Tablet Next week: Whats being done to take street kids off the street. Problem Grows After the Holidays Abandoned-Pe- t . "Most nf the hive my friends received was being feat up on nr she said Hy prostitution "they can get some money for it in stead of jerks getting it for free However, "the money doesn t mean that much to them." she said The streets offer little entertainment to children who are without transportation and without much money. Spending their days in malls, vacant buildings, garages, arcades, restaurants, or just walking around the streets can get boring Sometimes they gather in "party houses" any home unsujxTvi.sed enough to allow a place to gather with friends, play video games, smoke and pass the time. The house's both Tammy and Cathy frequent are always open, regardless of the time. On a typical day, "I would go to a Ser Store to get a cup of coffee, and steal something to eat, then go to the mall or a friends house, then just walk around, said Tammy "I used to go jogging after da-- k and then back f the garage," she said The days gc-be boring because owner releases, except for euthanasia, because of space limitations. Salt Lake City Animal Control, The Humane Society of Utah and other local shelters will accept animals for possible adoption. "Even if the end for the pet is humane euthanasia, it is better than a slow, lingering death experienced by stray animals, Ms. Prevost said. For more information about alternatives, call Salt Lake County Animal Services. Price 70' I less than Comp. Ret. Price 75 r"c Less than Comp. Ret. PIECE GOODS, UNLTD. Prices Good At All Locations Listed Below While Supplies Last! Sorry, No Rain Chetks, Not Responsible (or Printing Errors. 1940 W. 3500 So., S.L.C. 425 So. 500 W Bntfl. 511 E. 31 st St., Ogden 709 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale No. Hwy. 91, Hyde Park 460 W. State, Pleas. Grove 945 No. Main, Springville 140 N. Main, Cedar South Rexburg Exit Next to Pappys Rexburg, Idaho 673 E. Simpson, S.L.C 655 W. 7800 So., Midvale 4089 W. 5415 So., Kearns 8985 So. State, Sandy Moms Fabric 12788 So. Redwood Rd., Riverton Here is a roundup of recreation news items from around Utah and the Intermountain area. Running News Races across the area scheduled Jan. 25 include the Color Country in St. George (call 8 for information) and the first annual Forklift Frostbite 5K at Snowbird (call Jon Farmer at ext. n 673-614- 521-604- 4100). Nordic Ski Races Park West Overland from Park West to Log Haven is scheduled Jan. 25 (call White Pine Touring at 5 for information). A Wasatch Citizens Series telemark series event is scheduled Jan. 26 at Snowbasin (call the Brighton Touring Center at for information). Snowbird Winterfest Snowbirds Winterfest Activities will be held Sunday through Jan. 26 at the Little Cottonwood Canyon resort. Events include broom ball games, a snow sculpture contest, a torchlight parade, Swiss skiing demonstrations and plaza entertainers. For schedule information, call Snowmobile Trail Ride ; ; The Salt Lake Valley Snowmobile Club has a trail ride event open to the public scheduled Saturday at Wolf Creek. For information, contact Russell, Eliason at ' Wildlife Board Meeting . The Utah Wildlife Board will meet dt 8:30 a m. Jan. 24 at the Division of Wildlife Resources office in Salt Lake City to address the commercial hunting area proclamation. Public comment will be accepted. For information, call Big Game Board Meeting The Board of Big Game ConUtah ; trol. will set permit numbers for desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat and bison hunts Thursday at 7:30 p,mi. in the Division of Wildlife Resources office in Salt Lake City. The application period for the hunts will be in February. For information, contact Bruce Andersen at 1 1 Tennis Entry Deadlines Wednesday is the entry deadline for two local tennis tournament. The Nick Bapis E.F, Hutton Senior War-fnu- p event, scheduled Jan. 31 to Feb. 8 at the Sports Mall, is for adults. The Margaret Hopkins Memorial Tennis tournament, which will run Feb. 1 through 8 at the Fountain of Utah, is for. junior players. For information, contact the Utah Tennis Association. The 531-917- 1 " 533-933- ' 533-933- ; ; One-Hou- r Swim "The Intermountain Masters Swim-rirjin- g Association has its Super Swim meet scheduled Jan. 25 at the University of Utah For information, contact in LoGlenn O. Mortensen at 752-286- 1 gan. Bodybuilding Contest C The Salt Lake County Metro Re- creation District is sponsoring a Mr. and Mrs. Metro Bodybuilding competition or, Jan. 25 at the Central City Center. Guest pose will be done by Gene Nelson, Mr. Mountain America in 1984 and 1985. The entry deadline is Friday, Call for information. Multi-Purpos- 538-206- 2 e At Humana MEDFIRST' we think you should get to know your doctors, nurses and staff before the need for treatment arises. So were opening up our offices for your examination. Youll be able to meet our people, tour our facilities and learn about our personal, professional approach to your medical needs HUMANA MEDFIRST OPEN HOUSE. WEST VALLEY. JANUARY 26. 2-- 6 pm. Humana MEDFIRST offers com- jnsive medical care for the entire y, as well as prompt treatment of sudden illness or injury. And were available when you need us most. Our doctors are here from 8am to 8pm' 7 days a week. 365 days a year. So you can come in after work, on weekends, at your convenience. Appointments are welcome at Humana MEDFIRST but never necessary "And you can arrange to see the same doctor on a continuing basis simply by calling ahead. Please stop by during our Open House to share some refreshments and tour our complete facilites. Youll get a first hand look at the kind of concerned, continuing care we offer. 3i ysic.ianjjar Were confident youll like what you see. S 3390 South 5600 West West Valley City, UT 8 1101 061-100- 'Office hours may ,iry "Anointments lli.iy U X V nt'v,ir Int advertised si ul ru'iil 2 MlI H.iiu.ni.i i'. ,i H , 'I 1KS legistrrrd tr.uiem.trk ,ti tnt It V o |
