Document text
43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 13, 2004 Light One Candle Boy turns his life around, but needs help EDITOR’S NOTE: "Light One Candle" is an annual Mail Tribune feature that focuses on the specific need of an individual, family or agency during the holidays. By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Like a lot of the kids probation officer Sarah Torson sees, the 16-year-old boy pushed limits to the brink of breaking. Theft, criminal mischief and other negative behaviors very nearly marked him for placement at a local boys’ ranch, says Torson, of the Jackson County Juvenile Services department. Then, something surprising happened. "He turned himself 100 percent around," says Torson. "He became the coolest kid." Advertisement That transformation proved to be the key to a change in the boy’s family as well. His mom and stepfather signed up for parenting classes. His 13-year-old brother and two sisters, ages 10 and 12, came together. Soon, the whole family was functioning more smoothly, Torson says. Then, the boy’s mom lost her job at a local restaurant. The family was left to subsist on the stepdad’s construction income. They’ve eked by, but just barely. Now, during the holidays, Torson and her co-workers have been moved to ask for help on the family’s behalf. There’s not much food and nothing for Christmas, but the mom says the family’s most pressing need is clothes for the kids. The 16-year-old, in particular, has outgrown all of his jeans, which now run size 40-by-34 or 40-by-36. He needs shirts and sweatshirts as well, size XXL or XXXL. Any kind will do, of course, but Torson said the boy likes the Lakers basketball team. "No kid’s perfect," Torson said. "But this family’s been brought together for sure." Donations for the family can be brought to the Jackson County Juvenile Justice Center, 609 W. 10th St., Medford. Or contact Torson at 774-4857. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers