W-b Enforcement Of Meters Resumes

Ann Bruno 
January 2, 1998 
Ann Bruno Of Thomas Street, Edwardsville, Died Friday At Wilkes Barre General 
Hospital Shortly After Admission.

By CHRISTOPHER ROMANELLI; Times Leader Correspondent
 Sunday, January 04, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1E 





WILKES-BARRE- Felicia Weidow says she always wanted to work with children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Last September, she got the chance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As part of the new Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring program know as Lean
On Me, Weidow, 21, of Kingston, became a big sister to 8-year-old Norma Voyton
of Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In August, Big Brothers/Big Sisters received federal money in the form of a
JUMP (Juvenile Mentoring Program) grant worth $180,000 to fund the Lean On Me
program. The grant allows the agency to target children in specific low-income
housing developments and match them up with volunteers in the workplace, said
case manager Lynn Pacuska. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've made 30 new matches already, but we're still in great need of
volunteers," Pacuska said. "We're on schedule to make 180 matches." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All volunteers must be at least 21 years old and have a job, but college
students who are of age and work can also volunteer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 According to Pacuska, the screening process for mentors involves a
reference check, home visit, interview and personality test. Police and
child-abuse checks are also done. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The process may sound time consuming, but the mentor's involvement is
limited to a couple of hours. Pacuska says the process has been designed to
"make the match as quick as possible with only the best volunteers." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Businesses are encouraged to have a number of employees participate in what
is known as a workplace mentoring program. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Weidow, who is a full-time student at Luzerne County Community College,
decided to become a big sister to give back some of the love and attention she
received from her family as a child. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Even though I've only known her since September, she's really like my
little sister," Weidow said of her match. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The pair see each other on Saturday or Sunday for three to five hours. They
often go for walks in the park, shop, and visit the arcade. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One of Weidow's favorite pastimes is bowling, so she introduced it to
Voyton, who now enjoys the sport. Voyton has gotten much better, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Her score went from a 30 to a 90 already," Weidow said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Weidow, who works at night as a data entry clerk at Commonwealth Telephone
in Dallas, said she enjoys the company of children so much that she would like
to own a day-care center someday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Voyton is very curious and likes to talk to Weidow about school and work. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I always answer her questions and try to explain to her how important
school is," Weidow said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Pacuska says the match is so successful because Weidow is a great mentor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "She's an excellent role model and places a high value on education. It's
the type of value she can instill on a child like Norma who needs
encouragement in that area." said Pacuska. "Norma has had an easy time opening
up to Felicia and she trusts her. That's how we make a good match- they trust
one another and have fun together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Weidow is signed up to be a big sister for one year. The match can continue
until the child is 18 years old if both agree, or she can decide to get
matched with another little sister. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But Weidow says she will have no trouble making her decision. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'd like to stay with Norma as long as possible." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHAT: Mentors are needed to participate in Lean On Me, a new program
sponsored by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Lean On Me targets children in specific
low-income housing developments and matches them with volunteer mentors in the
workplace. Businesses also are encouraged to participate in a workplace
mentoring program. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHO: Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and employed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 HOW MANY: More than 150 volunteers are needed to fill a goal of 180
matches. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Interested individuals or businesses should call Lynn
Pacuska or Tanya Olaviany at 824-8756. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Photos by Chris Abraham &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Big Sister Felicia Weidow, 21, and her little sister, 8-year-old Norma
Voyton of Wilkes-Barre, check out their scores on the computer screen Sunday
at Stanton Lanes in Wilkes-Barre. The two spend time together each week as
part of the new Lean On Me program sponsored by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters
program at Catholic Social Services. About 30 successful matches have been
made toward the program's goal of 180. Additional volunteers are sought to
participate in the mentoring program. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Norma Voyton holds the doll she received from Big Sister Felicia Weidow.
Norma meets with Weidow each we

Loaned Guidance Fosters Valuable Exchange 
Lean On Me, A New Program Sponsored By Big Brothers/big Sisters, Links 
Low-income Children With Mentors In The Workplace

Loaned Guidance Fosters Valuable Exchange Lean On Me, A New Program Sponsored By Big Brothers/big Sisters, Links Low-income Children With Mentors In The Workplace