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Show Training School in need of advocate families f- , ;w . r : t . f if jf s : ) ' . " I I ' If, : f LL.l, . . Jimmy is in need of a friend for the holidays, for special events, and just for visiting. A resident of the Utah State Training School, Jimmy is 22 and is too far away from his parents to receive visitors very often. He is one of several at the school who are in need of a friend -- an advocate to help them celebrate the holidays, to be near when others have their families to see them. "What they need, " say s Bill Long, a social worker at the training school, is someone "they know will be coming to see them, someone to take the place of the family they do not have available. You might take them for family home evening, take them out to bowling, to the movies, or just visit them on campus." Jimmy, Mr. Long explains, has parents but because of their employment they have had to move to Las Vegas and "can't come see Jimmy as often as they would like." "Jimmy's mother is very caring and concerned she can't visit as often as she would like and has asked that we try and find an advocate family for him," Mr. Long said. Dennis Whitley, team leader over I Jimmy's residence hall, said the curly haired youth likes sports, and enjoys people. "He is restricted in activities because he is in a wheel chair, but he does have selfhelp skills," he said. Mr. Whitley added Jimmy has the mentality of about a four-year old. Lynda Hiatt, Volunteer Coordinator Co-ordinator at the school, said other advocate parents are needed for residents who do not have anyone to visit them. "They don't need to take these kids off campus if they don't want, there are things to do here," she said. "The important thing is that the resident have something to look forward to, to know someone cares and will be there to give him or her that extra love and attention we all crave." If you would like to be an advocate parent or family member for Jimmy or someone else, contact Mrs. Hiatt or Jeannine Blackburn, Volunteer Director, at the training school. "The advocates are matched up with the residents so they can enjoy each other," Mrs. Blackburn added. And with the holidays coming up, it is even more important that the youngsters have someone to share their love with. Jimmy . . . in need of friend |