After having a brain tumor removed, Steve Yarbourgh was spending most of his time at home, and he felt the need to do something useful. Consequently, he responded to an ad in the newspaper for a volunteer position with The Center for Safe Schools. Today, he uses his organizational skills with a team of volunteers who promote character values and peaceful coexistence in middle and high schools.

The Center for Safe Schools is a non-profit organization that goes into schools and sets up curriculum for troubled teenagers. They work with faculty, staff, and students. At this time, middle-school kids are exhibiting more violent habits-fighting or destroying property. Many of these young people have been in juvenile detention or are headed that way. One way for the students to avoid this result is to work with the trained faculty from The Center for Safe Schools. The volunteers create a personalized curriculum with the students, focusing on 15 established character traits such as leadership, respect, perseverance, courage, humanity, and self-esteem.

Yarborough said, "The first time I saw this list, I was stunned. Any child exposed to these qualities would grow up to be a different person."

The organization produces its own learning materials, such as books and posters, so they can use help in terms of office skills as well as teaching and mentoring. Yarbourgh does much of his work at home, sometimes putting in a 40-hour week. Recently, he wrote a description of the work done by The Center that will be used as a sponsorship package to attract people interested in sponsoring a student to participate in the program.

Steve Yarbourgh was interested in finding a useful diversion, and along the way he has taken a stand for peace. He added, "Anyone involved with this program would learn a lot about their child, and a lot about themselves."

For information about volunteering with The Center for Safe Schools or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.