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LIGHT ONE CANDLE Teen on her own could use comforter EDITOR'S NOTE : This is one in a series of stories about people who need help during the holiday season. By SUSAN JAY It's been a long road for the teenager whose stepfather sexually abused her for more than a year. First she joined a residential treatment program to help her deal with the trauma of abuse. During that time, she testified against her stepfather in court, and he was sentenced to a long jail term. She graduated from the treatment program, received her high school diploma and then started the Independent Living Subsidy program offered by the local social service agency Community Works. The program's facilitator, Pat Carter, said the teen is learning how to live life without parental or family support. The program teaches life skills to independent teens, including budgeting, understanding lease agreements and responsibilities. As long as teens in the program work or go to school for 40 hours a week, they receive a monthly subsidy toward rent and living expenses. "She's a very caring person and she wants to do it right, live life right," Carter said of the teenager. She is working full time as a sales clerk, learning to budget and is planning to start college soon. She also has her own apartment. "She's a very caring person," Carter said. When Carter told her about the "Light One Candle" series and asked if there was something she needed, the teenager said, "is there someone else you can give it to?" When Carter pushed, the teenager said, "I would just love a comforter, because it hugs me back and it's warm." Anyone interested in donating a comforter or helping other independent teens stock their apartments with dishes, microwave ovens, coffee pots, mops and sheets, can call Carter at 770-1270. An incorrect contact number appeared with a Sunday "Light One Candle" about the family of Jory Petty. Reach public health nurse Diane Pirrello at 776-6038, Ext. 225. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA