Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Lexington Court seeks houseparents BONNIE RAnT STREETIGHTS Wbai IsSccow/Get Wow U Mind RELEASE'YOURSELF STREETLIGHTS Graham Central Slation/88 2814 Bonnie Raitt/BS 2818 LPTpeL Tape NewaaEBFleetwooz (iEx~: 0 GOOD OLD BOYS HEROES ARE HARD TO FIND ear-care products at BUD@ET TAPEE 9191 (across from BY NANCY COLEMAN Of The Gamecock staff While increasingly ihore marriages remain childless, a couple in Lexington, S.C., has had more than 300 children in two years. An opportunity now arises for volunteers to break their record. Welcome Home, Inc., invites USC couples to apply for the position of houseparents at their foster home in Lexington. As much as $8,000 per year, plus room and board in the newly-built facility, would be provided by the State Department of Social Services. I'VE GOT MY OUVN ALBUM 10 DO ft E&dMm=/Akm1Gwovwu)b IVt GOT MY OWN ALBUM TO DO TAF Ron Wood/88 2819 Johi Lang TieGon9 MoutanMan FELIX CAVALIERE MOl BR 6955 Frr apreventive public-service p I and REA winter USC Norsesh Up to 14 children at once, at a maximum age of 17, can be given temporary shelter in Welcome Home, Inc. During its two years of existence, 300 children have been sent from the Lexington sheriff's office, Family Court and the Social Services Department until per manent placement could be found. "A childless couple who would be available full-time would receive maximum pay," David Brown, director of the Lexington family Court, said last week. "Our present housemother, who has children of her own, receives $4,500 while her husband works full time as a civil engineer." JOHN SEBASTIAN TAPRZANA KID ZANA KID iSebastian/BS 2187 LP Tape 349 ZAPPA /MOTHERS ROXY&ELSEWHERE HERS - ROXY AND ELSEWHERE k Zappa/ZDS 2202 E@ rCORDS A 24-page questionaire, in cluding situation questions, is part of the application procedure. Having begun advertising two weeks ago, Brown has received about a dozen inquiries from both in and out of state. Ideally, the new houseparents would observe the present couple for a few weeks before assuming the position alone. "The job opens on New Year's Day," Brdwn said, "but if, the chosen couple for some reason, has to move in earlier, we are agreeable. If possible, the pesent family wants to be there to share Christmas with the children." Formerly quartered in old World War II barracks, Welcome Home, Inc., is now a nine-bedroom, five bathroom facility, built in June. "Phil and Nancy Reynolds, both 30, have been the houseparents since the home began on Dec. 2, 1972," Brown said. "Because of this job, Nancy was able to receive a financial grant for a USC graduate night course. She is working on a masters in rehabilitation counseling." Brown admitted the job has been physically demanding. "The Reynolds are reluctant to leave," he said, "but two years of sharing time and posensiona have worn them out. They need more privacy now. This -environment is so demanding that a year or two is more than a couple can endure." With one son and a foster daughter, the Reynolds were building a home on the.shores of Lake Murray when they took the job two years ago. Now they want to move in their completed home, possibly re-entering this type of work later. Estimating the average number of children occupants at eight to ten, Brown said lengths of stay vary from two hours to two weeks, maybe longer. "Some children are victims of tragedy, left homeless until relatives can come to their rescue. rhe greatest percentage are returned home where adjustments in difficult situations have been made," Brown said. "Some have ad irreconcilable differences with 'heir families. Permanent Aacement is found in foster or :orrectional homes, such places as John de la Howe Institute." The Reynolds insist they have iad no behavior problems. Brown ;aid, "Children that would possibly >e a behavior problem are put in a letention facility. The Reynolds all if they have any trouble at all. 4o physical harm has been eported at Welcome Home, IncA Applicants should contact BrwW I the Lexington County Family sourt. Shortages delay completion From Page One something that didn't need to be done and they were doing It wrong, .so I wrote a letter to Dr. Rempel detailing my views on the Green," said Ebert. "The whole purpose' was to put brickways where people walk so I made the sketches and. gave a presentation to 'the com mittee." Ebert said Rempel and the Committee were very recep tive to his ideas. Both Rempel and Ebert said they like the way the area looks present.