GREGG DONAT, a Judge in Tippecanoe County for 25 years, introduced Patricia Foerg who talked about "Volunteers in Probation". She began by having her "helpers" release balloons into the room and observed that we reacted to them the same way we react to people on probation. We held them, pushed them off, or ignored them completely. She shared the history of the program, noting that VIRGIL ST. JOHN and GORDON KINGMA mentored her to start the program. JERRY MC CARTHY was one of the first volunteer mentors to work one on one with probationers who prefer to be called mentees. Foerg talked about the requirements to be a mentor and encouraged us to become involved. The next training session begins in August. If you are a good listener and not judgmental, with lots of patience and would like to help, contact Pat at Volunteers in Probation.
