Ms. Dadas has been selected to be among 30 people to attend Leadership Warren County, where she expects to pick up more knowledge to further her passion — that of helping the mentally ill live a normal life.

        Leadership Warren County is a program of leadership development for Warren County residents and those who work there, sponsored by the Area Progress Council.

        “I discovered about two years ago that working with the mentally ill is what I would like to do the rest of my working years,” Ms. Dadas said. “I became interested in working with the mentally ill because I have a relative who suffers with the disease. I wanted to learn all I could about it, what to do, what medicine to take, and what to do in emergencies.”

        For the last four years, Ms. Dadas has been the person who matched persons with a mental illness with community volunteers as friends in Warren County. The concept is that a volunteer's friendship and support can offset the loneliness and isolation that accompany mental illnesses, she said.

        “Our motto is "Making Friends, Changing Lives,”' she said.

        In Leadership Warren County, she will learn about issues in the county. The program is a nine-month series of meetings and educational sessions. It begins next month.

        “I think our first gathering is a retreat at Camp Joy,” she said. “It also involves attending meetings of the County Commission, City Council; and riding with police officers. Whatever I learn, I intend to use it working with the mentally ill. Sometimes it takes a person a long time to find your passion. I found mine two years ago.”

        Ms. Dadas, of Maineville, received a bachelor's degree in social science from Cleveland State University in 1970 and a master's degree in college personnel administration from Ohio State University in 1972.

        She and her husband, Alex, are the parents of three children.

        If you want to stock your home library before school starts, check out the Back to School Warehouse Sale, sponsored by Friends of the Public Library.

        It takes place August 19-22 at the warehouse, 8456 Vine St., Hartwell, where more than 100,000 books and other items are housed, including videos, CDs, books-on-tape, cassettes, collectibles, encyclopedias and art prints.

        “This is the first time we have opened up the warehouse for a summer sale,” said Anne Keller, executive director.

        Friends of the Public Library members will also get a chance to buy book bargains from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18.

        The sale for the public will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 19; and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 20-22. For more information, call 369-6035.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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