By Paula Day

They are a group of teens with a reputation, but, in this case, it’s a good one.

The high school youth group at St. Joseph’s parish in Marietta has been recognized for “outstanding volunteerism.”

Under the guidance of youth ministers Molly and Kevin McCarthy, the group has become well known to Cobb County social service agencies for its work with the poor and homeless. The teens have a reputation for being “on call” when needed, even in emergencies.

In February St. Joseph’s high school Youth Group received Cobb United Way’s “Heart-In-Hand Award” for its volunteer efforts. The work cited included rounding up clothing and a baby basket complete with pillow and linens for a newborn, clearing years of undergrowth from an elderly woman’s yard, and cooking evening meals in a winter night shelter. Particularly unusual is the group’s 18-month involvement with Cobb Emergency Aid’s Project Self Sufficiency for single parents trying to better their lives.

“I’m crazy about these kids,” exclaimed Tammy Skinner, social worker for Cobb Emergency Aid. “It’s wonderful to be able to rely on them and to know they’re there and dependable.”

Every other Thursday, while Mrs. Skinner helps the group of single mothers improve their job skills, the teens take care of their children. This care is fine-tuned to meet the needs of each age level, whether it be helping a preschooler with language skills, or a fourth grader with his reading, or an older girl with a school report.

“We are able to have our meeting in peace, knowing (the children) are in good hands,” said Garnie Quick, whose eight-year-old son, Jamie, looks forward to the Thursday evening sessions.

Originally the meetings were held in a count building that offered no room for the children to be separated according to activity. One of the teens initiated an effort to move the meetings to St. Joseph’s parish center, where there is enough space to provide an enjoyable and appropriate experience for each age level, Molly McCarthy said.

The relationship between the teens and the children is close. One youth helps a previously withdrawn child open up. Another recognizes and nurtures the artistic talents of an eight-year-old. Another listens carefully as a fourth grader with a reading difficulty reads aloud. Molly McCarthy says simply, “They have become family.”

This family spirit goes beyond the Thursday evenings and means much both to mothers and children.

“I’ve run into some of the kids outside our group meetings,” explained single mother Nancy Durden, “and they’re just as happy to meet us then. Their enthusiasm is real. I think they love the children and that goes both ways.” When her 11-year-old daughter’s school report merited an A, the girl was so excited she had to show the grade to the teen who had helped her with it.

Megan Durden admits at first she thought the Thursday evenings would “be a drag.” Now she claims two teens, Dee and “Cap,” as her “good friends.”

“We have a lot of fun and we learn things, too. A boy comes and gives us art lessons,” she said.

The mothers are particularly grateful that young men are part of the “baby-sitting” group because their children hunger for masculine influence.

“You don’t see that many young men wanting to help with child care,” commented Garnie Quick. “My son eats it up,” Nancy Durden added.

It is not by chance that this rapport has developed between the teens and their charges. Molly McCarthy makes a point of matching the gifts of the teens to appropriate service. Nine to 12 young people help with Project Self Sufficiency. Others from the more than 40 members of the Youth Group are called upon for tasks that suit their interest; helping the elderly with yard work, taking a shift at the night shelter, gathering clothing for the needy. The youth minister believes enabling the teens to use their particular talents to meet the needs of others is a way the young people will appreciate their own giftedness more.

For St. Joseph’s teen Dee Blanchard, working with children in Project Self Sufficiency has confirmed her decision to become a kindergarten or first-grade teacher. The 17-year-old admits her involvement has called for adjustments. Dianne and Herbert Blanchard rely on their daughter to stay with her younger brothers and sisters when they go out for an evening and have changed their plans on several occasions to accommodate Dee’s commitment to the Thursday program. The teen admits she couldn’t be involved without her parents’ encouragement.

“Some of the mothers and kids drop in where I work,” she said. “We hug wherever we are. They’ll spot me somewhere and come up. It makes me feel great. I’m real close to these kids.”

At Christmas the Youth Group hosts a dinner party and Santa Claus brings specially selected gifts for the children and their mothers. A “wish list” for Santa is posted in the parish and anyone can make donations. The mothers admit they could not afford to give their children some of the gifts they receive at the party. One youngster received a coveted keyboard, an instrument which synthesizes 20 to 30 different sounds, produces rhythm and creates chords.

“It obviously was not new,” Garnie Quick observed, and that made it special. “Someone gave something that was theirs.”

The two mothers admit that handling the diverse group of youngsters can be a challenge for the teens. Toddlers need to have diapers changed and in the “terrible twos” are not noted for their social skills. The experience can be a hands-on parenting class for the youth.

However, the young people are not left on their own to come up with age-appropriate activities. Nancy Maloney, a third-grade teacher at Holly Springs School in Cherokee County brings her understanding of early childhood education to the planning of these activities. Miss Maloney was a member of the Youth Group when Molly and Kevin McCarthy took over the ministry 10 years ago.

“I’ve always looked up to them,” she said. “I kept in touch even when I was in college. Now I can bring a new perspective and some background knowledge to the program.

For her part, Molly McCarthy points to the importance of young people trying to understand that value systems of others may be different from their own.

“They must learn to be accepting and compassionate and not judgmental,” she observed. “We talk about that at the beginning. Not being judgmental is being Christ-like.”

The youth ministry program at St. Joseph’s has influenced more than one generation of young people. Pamela and Mike Orr are a couple who have returned after college to assist with the program.

“I grew up in that church,” Orr explained, “and this is a way to put something back. My wife and I met at a youth group function.”

“Molly’s great,” Orr added. “She’s someone (I hope we all are) kids can go to talk to. Molly and Kevin’s leadership has provided a place and an attitude and a way of living that assures the kids with their problems that things turn out okay. It’s a whole attitude and example that influences kids and makes them want to come back.”

The “Heart-In-Hand Award” is given annually according to Tammy Skinner. It usually goes to an individual youth who has been involved in volunteering.

“Very seldom do you find a group of teens volunteering as a social responsibility,” Mrs. Skinner added. “Teens’ interests more often center on dating and cars and the prom.”