VOLUNTEERS TEACH SELF-ESTEME AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH PROJECT CHARLIE

Project CHARLIE volunteers may be retired, unemployed or hold full-time jobs. They can be parents, grandparents or none of the above. They may even be veteran volunteers or newcomers stepping into the role for the first time.

In fact, adults working with the drug prevention program said the assortment of volunteers is one of its strengths. Different volunteers get the point across differently, they said, but they're all working towards the same goal: To keep kids away from drugs.

The name Project CHARLIE is an acronym that stands for Chemical Abuse Resolution Lies in Education. Volunteers are trained to teach a curriculum to second- and fourth-graders which emphasizes improving self-esteem and giving kids "the skills to say no to situations that make them uncomfortable."

Michael and Faye Garrett use the team approach to teach the curriculum and make their classes fun. The husband and wife also are known as Mickey the Magician and Mandy the Clown, and they use their alter egos to impart knowledge and fun to their classes.

"I try to integrate my magic into a lesson plan to get their attention," said Michael Garrett, who volunteers at Franklin Elementary School. "It's not always easy, but I think it's more lasting if I integrate the magic into the curriculum."

Faye Garrett, who leads classes at Jefferson Elementary School, said she and her husband often visit each other's class to help out. Although fun is emphasized, they are careful not to depart from the main theme of the curriculum, she said.

"Our motto is "I Am Special," and we try not to detract from that," she said. "Even though they have the parties and the magic and everything, we still stress the drug message."

The Garretts and other facilitators said they teach the program based on their life experiences and the unique makeup of the class, which means the course is constantly changing.

However, said Avon Crocker, a seven-year veteran with the program, the curriculum is a constant for everyone and hasn't changed over the years. She still uses her original teacher's manual to teach students at Alma Schrader Elementary School, although she said the students appear more knowledgeable now than they were seven years ago.

"There haven't been any major changes in the curriculum in my seven years as a volunteer," she said. "I think the kids -- the fourth-graders -- seem to be more knowledgeable about drugs. I don't seem to be teaching them anything they don't already know; I'm just reaffirming what their teachers already are telling them."

Volunteer Jack McDonald, who teaches a class at Washington Elementary School, said the age groups targeted by the program are very important to its success. Second- and fourth-graders are very "teachable" for this type of program, he said.

"You have to start in the lower grades with a program like this," he said. "If you get to sixth-, seventh- or eighth-graders, it's too late to talk about this."

First-year volunteer Judy Brown said anyone with a half-hour each week can be a Project CHARLIE volunteer. Some volunteers come before and after work, she said. Others, like Brown, give up their lunch hour one day each week so they can participate.

"I'm really glad I got involved with the program," said Brown, who also volunteers at Jefferson Elementary School. "I get really attached to the kids and find myself thinking about them quite often. I think they get attached to us to, which really makes it worth it."

The volunteers said they most enjoy the program when the students actively participate. They're as individual as the facilitators leading the class, they said. When the students are the ones coming up with ideas for the class, it makes the experience better for everyone, they said.

"They lead you in the right direction for your teaching," said Crocker. "It is so cool when that happens."

Project CHARLIE classes are taught at all Cape Girardeau public elementary schools and at Nell Holcomb school. A facilitators training meeting will be held for new volunteers Dec. 2 from 6-10 p.m. at LaCroix United Methodist Church. For more information contact Jana Jateef at 651-4103.