mer program. Bobby Nicholson has been working at the

mer program. Bobby Nicholson has been working at the schools for three years. His return each year has been requested by the schools because of the good work he has done.

The group that works at the schools, which besides Bobby includes Carl Menefee, Debbie Nicholson and Linda Bruce, works all summer to clean the school buildings and does yard work. “The school group learns a lot from working out here during the summer cleaning,” Liz said. “When they get back in school, they get after any students they see who are throwing trash down, and they tell them that they don’t know what it’s like to have to clean all of that up.”

Clerical workers in the program include Connie Burke at the School Board Office, Lisa Freeman at the Historical Society and Aileen Wigington at the Social Services Office. Eric Dunn and Tammy Williams do general cleanup work besides working with the children at the Child Care and Learning Center, and Dale Burke splits her time between the Clerk’s Office and the Thrift Shop.

“Sometimes I get complaints from the kids about the type of work they’re doing, but I talk it out with them and help them work through any problem that’s frustrating them,” Liz said. “Some are quiet, and I have to work with them to get them to open up, but it’s a small group that I get close to until they’re almost like part of my family by the end of the summer.”

Liz said that the attempts to find jobs for participants after the program ends has worked out well. “Having a program job is something they can put down on their resumes that will help,” Liz said.

Since Liz works as the Rappahannock 70001 counselor during the summer, she does not get to take a vacation. “I’m out of the classroom, though, and I really enjoy the personal relationships I develop with the kids,” Liz said. “Sometimes I feel exhausted, and then I go to a site and see a smiling face, and I think, ‘It’s all worth it’.”