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Briefs

Foster parents needed in Pasco, Pinellas counties

By Times Staff
Published February 14, 2006

Imagine being taken away from your home, not knowing where you will go, leaving behind your favorite things. Now, imagine this through the eyes of a child. There are more than 4,500 dependent children in Pinellas and Pasco counties, due to child abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many of them need loving foster parents. For information on becoming a foster parent, call the Safe Children Coalition Recruitment Line at 1-866-271-4705 and press 7.

HEP Thrift Store selling furniture, clothes, jewelry

The HEP Thrift Store, 1212 N Betty Lane, Clearwater, has vintage pieces, used furniture, brand name clothing, jewelry and knickknacks. The thrift store is part of the Homeless Emergency Project, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services for homeless individuals and families. Call the HEP office at 442-9041 or visit the Web site at www.ethep.com

Worknet Pinellas will help place and train military veterans. All career fields are eligible, and training is done by the employer on site. This program is designed to give assistance in training funds as well as provide support in getting needed uniforms, tools and supplies for the job. Active duty reserve and National Guard veterans are eligible. Call 524-4344.

PALM HARBOR - Physiotherapy Associates, 35111 U.S. 19 N, Suite 100, offers aquatic classes for those with arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and chronic back and neck pain.

The classes, approved by the Arthritis Foundation, are also appropriate for those with diabetes, postrehabilitation needs or weight loss requirements.

Classes are conducted as part of a nonprofit program. They take place in a heated indoor pool and offer range of motion, flexibility and strengthening exercises.

Participants do not need to know how to swim.

To register or for information on fees and schedules, call (727) 772-6772 or (727) 210-0760.

PALM HARBOR - The Palm Harbor Literacy Council seeks volunteers to help adults, many of them recent arrivals to the United States, learn to read, write and speak better English.

The literacy council provides free one-on-one tutoring to new residents, many of them foreign-born college graduates now working in the United States.

The council has 103 certified tutors but needs 50 more volunteers to work with students on its waiting list.

For information or to volunteer, call (727) 784-3332, ext. 211.

The Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas has certified tutors available to teach individuals who wish to learn English or those who need to improve their reading and writing skills. Sessions are free, and hours are flexible. For information, call the Literacy Council at the Dunedin Public Library, 298-3080, ext. 242.

Gulf Coast Community Care's Adopt a Grandchild program needs volunteers to mentor children. Children from birth to age 17 come to the program and are matched with a volunteer mentor. The mentors work four hours a week for a year. The children come from all backgrounds including those who need personal attention and those coming from an abusive home. Call 538-7460, ext. 3041 or 3013.

A variety of home school classes are being offered at Highland and Southwest Recreation Complex and McGough Nature Center. Classes include physical education, crafts, drama, science and nature for youths in grades K-6 and nutrition and fitness for grades 7-12. For information on dates, times and fees, call 518-3016.

CLEARWATER - Used eyeglasses can be dropped off at the Vision Center in the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 23106 U.S. 19 N in Clearwater. The glasses will be given to the needy. Glasses can be mailed to Gary Benson, in care of the Lions Club, 1856 Cameo Way, Clearwater FL 33756.

Those who are HIV-positive and need glasses can call the AIDS Community Project at 449-2437.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering public education programs throughout the year. Courses will be on boating and sailing fundamentals, using a global positioning system, chart reading and navigation. Programs are at the Clearwater Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key.

For information, call 469-8895 or visit www.uscgaux.org/0701101/PublicEducationPrograms.htm.

[Last modified February 14, 2006, 14:56:40]