By Melissa KanskyParents are notorious for over-

scheduling their children's after-school activities. When traditional care is unavailable, another group must step in. Positive Attitude Youth Center, founded by Pastor Kerry Richmond, provides a safe haven for children in unsafe living environments.

Richmond developed the idea in 1992 and enacted his vision in 1995. The facility on North Graham Hopedale Road in Burlington in October 2008 helped their efforts.  "My vision was to work in the community my wife and I had spent a lot of time in and worked in," Richmond said.  "We wanted to give back to the community." Positive Attitude strives to benefit those living in low-income, high-crime and drug  areas, Richmond said. Through self-worth classes and Bible study, Positive Attitude aims to build good character and help children develop a self-identity. The program also offers health education, teaching children healthy eating habits and nutrition. "We do different outreach to different apartment complexes in a ‘weed and seed' area," he said."Weed and Seed" areas are characterized by low-income homes consisting of single parents, located in high crime areas. "What we're looking to accomplish is to see these children and families succeed," he said. Richmond defined success as graduating from high school, obtaining a job and being able to achieve desirable living conditions. Retired teachers, volunteer coaches and tutors donate their time to help Positive Attitude's participants

improve and progress.  Elon's new BioBus route incorporates Positive Attitude as a stop, providing more students with the opportunity to volunteer. "I would go and help the kids with homework and occasionally play knock-out (with the children)," said Crista O'Neal, a freshman at Elon and Positive Attitude volunteer. O'Neal said  the children are in kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition to volunteers, Positive Attitude relies on the community for funding. United Way, local churches, businesses and individuals contribute financially.  The program also runs on several grants. Despite the donations, Positive Attitude still faces some hardships. "When doing things like this you always deal with problems of financing," said Richmond. "Sometimes that may be the major factor that limits the number of kids we can work with," Richmond said. "We pull back in

certain areas until things recover financially." Still, financial issues do not seem to presently hinder this organization's progress. "(The students) were doing math problems that I didn't even know how to do," O'Neal said.While she credits this challenge to different teaching methods, she acknowledges that development is a two-way street. "You come from such different backgrounds," she said.

"I learned a lot from them just as they learned from me," she said.  "I would have to say that the people who go to volunteer would have to be open minded and listen." Aside from development in current participants,  Richmond is looking to expand the programs Positive Attitude offers.  In one month, Richmond plans to begin a morning day care designated for children ages three to four.   "I enjoyed it and I would go back," O'Neal said.

Positive Attitude Youth Center open to at-risk kids, families