By Carol Cornelius

Atlanta Catholics Edward H. Robertson and Henry Hall Ware III are among 14 persons named to the board of directors of Metro Atlanta Mediation Center, Inc., according to Father Greg Santos, the Trappist responsible for the project.

Speaking at a press conference last week, Father Santos announced the incorporation of the group, informally called “Bridge” to signify the closing of the gap between parents and runaways.

The Meditation Center will work with runaways in the 12-to-17 age group and will bring child and parent together on neutral ground to work through the home problems responsible for the child’s leaving.

In addition to the center, the group will operate a “runaway house” which will accommodate as many as 12 youths.

The project will collect research data while meeting a great need in Atlanta’s hip community. When asked how runaways are referred, Father Santos replied that some persons with apartments become concerned with legal aspects of harboring a minor and look for outside help, while others are located through the Mid-town Alliance Community Center or on “the strip” -- Peachtree Street between 10th and 12th.

Paraprofessionals will be hired and trained to do crisis counseling, including confrontation. Dr. Peter Bourne, head of the Mental Health Unit at Atlanta Southside Comprehensive Health Center, is also a member of the board.

His experience in training paraprofessionals in counseling is expected to be of real value to this new group. Paraprofessionals will be drawn from a cross segment of society, including former runaways and parents who have experienced a child’s abrupt departure from home.

Stating that volunteers are great in a new project but sometimes tend to drop out after a time, Father Santos presented budgets with provisions for salaries of all staff members of both operations, the runaway house and the meditation center.

Total of the two budgets is $170,000, yet to be funded, but Father Santos said that the group will appeal to the churches, with an address to the Atlanta Council of Churches scheduled this week.

Father Santos feels an appeal to Catholics would be taking advantage of his priesthood but he welcomes contributions. Federal funds have been sought.