Those programs advocate for families in crisis who need counseling, provide mentors for youth, offer parent education, work with kids involved in the juvenile justice system and provide tutoring.

Family Advocate Ronnie Dunevant said this week that Roots and Wings programs are changing the lives of families and children in Person County for the better but that help is needed to keep them going, whether it be in the form of monetary donations or the donation of time as a volunteer.

“In our culture we have a tendency to block out the poor, the disadvantaged and people who are struggling, often blaming them for their plight or condition,” Dunevant said. “Maybe it’s because we don’t know what to do for or with them. Our society has tried so many ideas with, at best, mixed results. We’ve had some successes and some not-so-successes and sometimes we’ve used the frustration of mixed results to convince ourselves that our efforts aren’t justified, that we’re wasting our time and resources, and the product isn’t worth the price. Nothing works all or every time and almost all things fail sometimes.”

The family advocates at Roots and Wings, Dunevant said, understand success and failure, but more than anything, they understand the need to help families.

“In our culture, community and time, nothing — absolutely nothing — affects human development more than the health of families,” he said. “Nothing does more to prepare a child to be an ineffective, struggling adult than a low functioning family and, more importantly, nothing prepares a child to be a successful adult than a well functioning and nurturing family.”

The Roots and Wings organization believes in the value of families, said Dunevant, a former county commissioner.

“We honor the efforts of families to grow and support each other in adverse and difficult times and in times of victory. Based on an unconditional love, exemplified by the life and ministry of Christ, we offer families non-judgmental, unconditional love and support. We seek to identify and leverage a family's strengths and empower them to be the prime solution to their challenges. We avoid shame and blame and try to meet people where they are. We cheer. We stand along side. We hold hands and show love. Most of all, we believe in them and believe that nothing will strengthen our communities more than work that strengthens our families.”

Roots and Wings has become the clearing house for mentors to work with youth here, Dunevant said, and he needs volunteers who are willing to give time to be a positive influence in the life of a young person.

In working with families and children, said Dunevant, “We’re dealing with a lot of angry children and frustrated parents or caregivers. We see diagnoses of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, reactive attachment disorder and others. At the risk of oversimplifying, most of these conditions result in more anger. Many are caused by stress, trauma, abuse or neglect at very early ages,” he said.

“We know scientifically that early treatment of humans affects their brain development,” Dunevant continued. “The parts of the brain that control impulses and thoughtful deliberation are smaller in individuals abused or neglected early in life. The parts that deal with reactions and perceived threats are larger for these individuals.”

He said that Roots and Wings avoids “predictions with individuals, but we do see strong patterns between treatment of children very early in life and the adolescents/teens who are angry, confused and insecure.”

Many of these kids only trust their peer group because that’s the only consistent group in their lives, Dunevant said.

“These kids become at risk of school misbehavior, suspension, expulsion and dropout. They have a higher likelihood of unhealthy choices including substance abuse, sexual activity and crime, demanding huge financial investments in reactive programs designed to correct. It’s a better use of public investment to work on prevention or intervention.”

Daily, he said, “We see families and children having difficult lives. We see struggling, confused, bewildered families trying to hold on and make things better. We see children wanting to believe that life will get better and that someone is working to help. We help when we can and we need the public’s support. Families need to believe that their community believes in them.”

He said he and the other Roots and Wings staff want the community to “get to know us and our programs and speak to others about our efforts. Lift up families whenever and however you can. If you can support us financially, we and the families thank you. If you’re interested in becoming a mentor for a youth, we would love to talk. If you’d like to volunteer to tutor after school or help in other ways, let us know.”

Roots and Wings needs the support of the community, he said, “and we believe the support you give families through us will yield a strong return on investment.”

Dunevant or other Roots and Wings family advocates may be reached at 322-5437. The office is at 1200 North Main St. in Roxboro.