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| ER -- TF a Sanit " Le ET CT TT ei eb a bi ha Probation Officer Volunteer PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 11, 1986 -- 3 This task not suitedfor everyone Ruth Grant has been a volunt.er Probation Officer for the last five years. She finds the work fascinating and challenging with both frustrations and rewards. While Ruth admits that this kind ~ of volunteer work is not for everyone, the service needs more volunteers in the Scugog area at this time and she says some peo- ple will get as much satisfaction from the work as she does. (See story for details) Williamson GM, Uxbridge is pleased to AOU Gs the appointment of GORD HOOKER to their sales staff. Gord invites you to call or visit him for all your automotive needs. New ® Used ® Leasing Williamson [E Chevrolet Uxbridge Pontiac Oldsmobile Buick OUR CUSTOMERS SEND THEIR FRIENDS Uxbridge 852-3357 | Toronto 294-9010 Res. 985-2276 HWY. 47 SOUTH UXBRIDGE Here's a warm, cozy feeling ... > Sa ni OA Come to us for a free estimate .. compare our total cost including underpad and installation, combined with our fast, courteous service ... we know you'll be back! ot rz, = 33 x wed in a 2, 7] RS = SA 0 muni: BW) LiL \ gr MY SO) 80 5 i ud it BS Coan A 7 STN Rae YC MEY Ruth Grant doesn't look like the kind of person who deals with peo- ple who have run a-foul of the law. But then Yooks can often be deceiving. In her work as a volunteer proba. tion officer, Mrs. Grant not only works with those in trouble with the law, she thoroughly enjoys her work, finds it a challenge and is con- stantly taking courses offered by the Probation and Parole Service to widen her knowledge and perspectives. Mrs. Grant, who has lived in the Seagrave area for the past 14 years, is a volunteer. Other than mileage and incidental expenses, she receives no pay for the work she does as a probation officer. She's been doing this for the past five years and her enthusiasm is obvious. : "You have to have a liking for people and have the desire to want to try and help them," she told the Star in an interview last week. "I strongly believe they (people on probation) deserve a second chance," she added. People on probation have been found guilty in court of some of- fense, but are not sentenced to jail terms. Usually, they are first of- fenders and one of the terms of pro- bation is 'checking in' to the pro- bation officer on a regular basis. That's where volunteers like Mrs. Grant enter the picture. The meeting usually lasts about an hour and can take place at the Probation Office in Port Perry, in a local cof- fee shop or sometimes on a bench in Palmer Park. The conversation can be about almost anything, but more often than not, Mrs. Grant attempts to of- fer advice on problems the in- dividual may.be having. Sometimes, she said, there is no conversation at all. Probationers are only required to show up for the. meeting. They don't have to talk. Mrs. Grant said there have been times when the hour passes in silence, and there are times when she has been the brunt of open hostility from a probationer. But times like these are not the norm and Mrs. Grant said the rewards more than make up for the frustration. Many of the people she has dealt with will keep in touch long after their probation ends and it is very gratifying when she knows that some of the probationers never run outside the law again. Most of her "'clients" are in their twenties or early 30's, but some are as old as 60, and their troubles with the law often involve alcohol or drugs. Others have been found guil- ty of driving offenses, break and enters, mischief or minor assaults. Mrs. Grant said that volunteers like herself can take on as heavy a work-load as they wish. She works mostly in Scugog and Brock Townships, and because there is a shortage of volunteers and because she likes the work, her work-load is pretty heavy most of the time. She became interested in this special kind of volunteer service about five years ago through her daughter who is a corrections officer. Mrs. Grant often drove her daughter to court and stayed to listen to the proceedings. "I became interested in what was going on and decided to work as a volunteer," she stated. All volunteers must take an eight- week course before they can start work with probationers. The contact between the volunteer and the client is set up by the full-time probation officers, who step in if any serious problems crop up between the volunteer and client. Mrs. Grant has an extensive back- ground in community volunteer work running sports clubs, and working with young people in Scout and Guides movement. She readily admits that working as a volunteer probation officer is not for everyone, but for those who become involved, it is a satisfying and challenging way to help serve in the community. There currently is a shortage of volunteers with the Probation Ser- vice in Scugog Township and Durham Region. Anyone interested in more information about this kind of volunteer work can contact San- dy Bell-Murray of Probation and Parole Services in Pickering at 831-2600 or 683-0373. Flag theft On November 5, a driver pulled into Mark's Maintenance garage in Nestleton and made off with a flag and the pole. The incident took place during business hours and police have a description of the car and licence number of a suspect. WEDDING INVITATIONS and Accessories. PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street Port Perry 985-7383 NI RE \ N N N N y RUNNING OUT! 5 and Santa needs Help! To make Port Perry's Santa Claus Parade successful, : please call now to enter your float, clowns or entry. % N N N N N N Ruth DeJong ... 985-8268 (after 5 P.M.) OR Bill Barr ... 985-3844 REGISTER NOW! The Kids are counting on us! nS Scugog Chamber of Commerce, P.0. Box 994, Port Perry, Ontario mr PP rer P Per rr rrr. I Ao RE a -----