BY BERNIE MIXON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WYOMING -- With a backdrop of skating parties and games of kickball and freeze-tag, Wyoming teens and Over-the-Rhine youngsters forged friendships from differences.
The Wyoming High School students were mentors, tutors and friends to the children, ages 5-11, who live in the urban neighborhood in Cincinnati. They were brought together by a program called Partners Addressing Life Skills (PALS).
They gathered Tuesday at the school for games, conversation and refreshments in one of the last weeks of the PALS program before school ends.
"I just feel that I've been blessed, and it's time to give back," said senior Nia Smith.
Teaching through example is a goal of the program.
"The whole purpose of PALS is to strive to enhance the children's educational skills, their social skills and help them build their self-esteem," said Judy Williams, who developed the Wyoming to Over-the-Rhine link.
Ms. Williams is a drug prevention specialist - community coordinator with Community And Neighborhood Drug Offensives, which works in Over-the-Rhine.
Ms. Williams approached Wyoming High's Brothers and Sisters United club with the idea. Delaney Brewster, the Wyoming club's adviser, said the club was looking for a service project and this seemed to fit.
Teens or "big pals" were paired with "little pals" for parties, games and as friends.
The experiences provided positive sibling-type relationships for the youngsters, and the teen-agers learned, too, Ms. Williams said.
"Sometimes we have more fun than they do," Nia said.
