wfn.org | TWO FROM PITTSBURGH ARE DELEGATES TO WCC CHILDREN'S CONSULTATION

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

51NCC5/16/96                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PITTSBURGH, Pa. ---- Lamont Scales, 15, of
Pittsburgh and the Rev. Darnell Leonard of East End
Cooperative Ministry will join counterparts from
around the world May 19-21 in Geneva, Switzerland,
for a World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation
on children's struggles and the church's response.

 As the (U.S.) National Council of Churches' two
delegates to the consultation, they will analyze the
situation they face as residents of Pittsburgh's
East End.  They will share their experiences and
stories and help the Geneva-based World Council of
Churches develop strategies to support the work that
churches are doing with children.

 They and the 14 other children (ages 14-18) and
14 adults who work with them will give particular
attention to issues related to street children,
child labor and child prostitution.

 The Rev. Leonard, a Baptist minister affiliated
with the Progressive, National and Lot Carey
conventions, is Director of Children and Youth
Programs for East End Cooperative Ministry.  With
the help of 20 AmeriCorps members, funded through
the National Council of Churches' Ecumenical Program
for Urban Service, his program each year works with
2,000 children from kindergarten through new high
school graduates.  Ten Pittsburgh schools and six
churches serve as program sites.

 "Darnell is really a part of the lives of the
kids," offering consistent relationship and a sense
of worth to youths struggling with emptiness and
hopelessness, said Nancy Paul, Associate Director of
East End Cooperative Ministry.  "He has been in the
community a long time.  These young people have
grown up with him, and Lamont Scales is one of those
kids."

 "Mr. Scales was chosen to attend the WCC
consultation because he is identified as a mentor by
his peers," the Rev. Leonard said, "and because of
his familiarity with the issues affecting the lives
of youths and adults in his community."  The two
leave for Switzerland May 17 and return May 24.

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