Parents Anonymous

Parents Anonymous knows being a parent isn't easy. And this statewide organization lends a hand, too -- specifically to those families dealing with abuse or neglect.It provides services to teen parents, homeless families, victims of child abuse and parents who fear they may abuse or neglect their youngsters.Help is available through the Parents Anonymous Stressline, 243-7337.

Two respected nonprofit groups that try to prevent child abuse are targeting the problem with new programs and a new name.The two agencies -- Parents Anonymous and the Child Abuse Prevention Center -- joined forces in July. They created the Family Tree, a name that is kinder and simpler to better describe the protective nature of their mission.The goal is to more aggressively serve the 15,000 parents calling each year in need of free child-rearing help.The service focuses on preventing a problem considered acute.

CURRENT volunteers' news and needs:Correction: Last week's volunteer feature, about the Corporate Volunteer Council of Central Maryland and its project to build a playground at the Children's Guild, incorrectly listed the day the work will be done at the playground. The correct date is March 23. For details of this project, call Pat Kirk, CVC president, at 393-4838.Parents Anonymous Project A.C.T. (Adolescents Coping Together) needs volunteers to work with the 10- to 14-year-old self-help group from dysfunctional families who feel overwhelmed, need emotional support and need to be heard.

Sylvia Badger is taking a well-earned month off. Her replacement this week is Sun staffer Jennifer E. Mabry. Before she signed off, however, Sylvia covered the first of this week's parties.THE SEVENTH TIME was certainly a charm for the guests at th Great Chefs' Dinner at Linwood's/Due restaurant. This seventh annual benefit for the Parents Anonymous Child Abuse Prevention Center featured delicious Canadian food prepared by executive chef Alister Barnes of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts.

When Orlando Yarborough was asked to work with abused children through Parents Anonymous of Maryland two years ago, he tried as hard as he could to turn down the request."

Sixteen people with discriminating palates gathered at the Milton Inn last night for a $500-a-person wine-tasting to benefit Parents Anonymous of Maryland.World-renowned wine expert Robert Parker, publisher of the Wine Advocate who was recently knighted by the French government, joined Bob and Debbie Schindler (he owns Pinehurst Gourmet & Spirit Shop on Bellona Avenue), Libby and Tom Broadus, Donna and Don Barrick, Wickie and Mack Plant, Gary Schatz, Lisa and Dave Askin, and Jan and Bruce Arminger.

The story of Parents Anonymous, a poignant tale about tough family challenges and child abuse, was told with great finesse at its 20th anniversary dinner at Stouffer Renaissance Harborplace Hotel Wednesday night. (Yes, that's the new name of the hotel.) More than 650 people were part of the evening's festivities which honored Lee Johnson, the parent who co-founded Parents Anonymous of Maryland Inc.; the Junior League of Baltimore and the National Council of Jewish Women which provided time and money to help the group get started, and Dr. John Meyerhoff, chairman of the board, who has given his support since 1985.

Parents Anonymous seeks facilitators, care providersThe Maryland chapter of Parents Anonymous is seeking volunteers in Glen Burnie to be group facilitators and child-care providers to work with support groups.Volunteers must be nonjudgmental and nurturing and willing to commit about four hours a week to work with children and parents under stress.Parents Anonymous is a private, nonprofit organization whose goal is eliminating child abuse and neglect.Information: 889-2300.Pub Date: 11/14/96

Dr. John O. Meyerhoff, chairman of the board of Parents Anonymous of Maryland, has won the Baltimore City Medical Society's 1991 Annual Community Service Award.Since becoming the agency's chairman in 1986, Dr. Meyerhoff has raised funds for the agency, worked to increase public awareness and understanding of child abuse and neglect, and increased the professional staff.He also helped develop Adolescents Coping Together, a network of support groups for troubled adolescents that now operates in 21 Baltimore public schools.

Dr. John O. Meyerhoff, chairman of the board of Parents Anonymous of Maryland, has won the Baltimore City Medical Society's 1991 Annual Community Service Award.Since becoming the agency's chairman in 1986, Dr. Meyerhoff has raised funds for the agency, worked to increase public awareness and understanding of child abuse and neglect, and increased the professional staff.

Parents Anonymous seeks facilitators, care providersThe Maryland chapter of Parents Anonymous is seeking volunteers in Glen Burnie to be group facilitators and child-care providers to work with support groups.Volunteers must be nonjudgmental and nurturing and willing to commit about four hours a week to work with children and parents under stress.Parents Anonymous is a private, nonprofit organization whose goal is eliminating child abuse and neglect.Information: 889-2300.Pub Date: 11/14/96

Police arrested a Severna Park man Monday and charged him with stealing more than $350 worth of electronic equipment from the Glen Burnie Wal-Mart.Welford Elroy Keemer, 24, of the first block of Whites Road was charged with felony theft.A Wal-Mart security guard called police to the store in the 7900 block of Crain Highway about 8: 30 p.m. after he stopped a man for shoplifting.The guard told police he saw the man pick up two scanners from store displays and hide them in his waistband tucked under his shirt.

The story of Parents Anonymous, a poignant tale about tough family challenges and child abuse, was told with great finesse at its 20th anniversary dinner at Stouffer Renaissance Harborplace Hotel Wednesday night. (Yes, that's the new name of the hotel.) More than 650 people were part of the evening's festivities which honored Lee Johnson, the parent who co-founded Parents Anonymous of Maryland Inc.; the Junior League of Baltimore and the National Council of Jewish Women which provided time and money to help the group get started, and Dr. John Meyerhoff, chairman of the board, who has given his support since 1985.

Twenty years ago, Lee Johnson rededicated her life to the elimination of child abuse by founding Parents Anonymous of Maryland Inc. Wednesday night, guests attending the 20th Anniversary Gala for Parents Anonymous of Maryland will pay tribute to her efforts.Mrs. Johnson, 47, who lives with her husband John in the Hunt Valley area of Baltimore County, started the Maryland chapter of the national organization -- and she also has graduated from its self-help program.In 1974, Mrs. Johnson (then Mrs. Lapicki)

Taking the punch out of tough kidsOrlando Yarborough knows what to do with a tough kid -- invite him to hit you.Three years ago, Mr. Yarborough, recruited by Parents Anonymous as a volunteer, walked into a middle school to confront a group of boys who had been identified as hostile and violent. The students -- members of rival gangs -- began fighting, indifferent to Mr. Yarborough's polite protests.So he yelled -- "YAH!" -- a yell he uses in his martial arts classes, and the boys quieted down.

When Orlando Yarborough was asked to work with abused children through Parents Anonymous of Maryland two years ago, he tried as hard as he could to turn down the request."

Name: Genevieve E. McCardell, 33, of Owen Brown Village, Columbia.Hobbies and other activities: Besides volunteering at Parents Anonymous, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and eliminating child abuse, Ms. McCardell enjoys gardening, decorating her new home and taking walks with her 4-year-old son.Organization's Comments: Ms. McCardell's interest in Parents Anonymous began in 1986 when she attended a workshop for volunteers....

Police arrested a Severna Park man Monday and charged him with stealing more than $350 worth of electronic equipment from the Glen Burnie Wal-Mart.Welford Elroy Keemer, 24, of the first block of Whites Road was charged with felony theft.A Wal-Mart security guard called police to the store in the 7900 block of Crain Highway about 8: 30 p.m. after he stopped a man for shoplifting.The guard told police he saw the man pick up two scanners from store displays and hide them in his waistband tucked under his shirt.

The 13-year-old boy would punch out windows, tear down doors and kick holes in the walls of his parents' home. His father, Donald, couldn't handle the destructive behavior.Even though the teen's actions were the result of Tourette's syndrome -- a rare disease that causes involuntary actions and speech -- the father said he feared he might hurt his child."I never abused my kids, but I felt like I could go that way real easy," he said.So three years ago, Donald turned to Parents Anonymous, a help organization for parents and their children.

Name: Genevieve E. McCardell, 33, of Owen Brown Village, Columbia.Hobbies and other activities: Besides volunteering at Parents Anonymous, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and eliminating child abuse, Ms. McCardell enjoys gardening, decorating her new home and taking walks with her 4-year-old son.Organization's Comments: Ms. McCardell's interest in Parents Anonymous began in 1986 when she attended a workshop for volunteers....