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Woman Owes Success to RAP House
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Published: May 31, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY - Angel Cook says she owes her happy life today to a two-week period in her life when she ran away from home.
It was during that time she ended up at RAP House.
The Runaway Alternatives Project of West Pasco-based child and family services agency Youth and Family Alternatives provides crisis services that help prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice or childhood welfare systems.
In Cook's case, she spent two weeks at RAP House getting counseling. "I owe my success today to those two weeks," Cook, now a New Port Richey-area insurance agent, reflected.
Cook continued getting counseling from RAP House throughout her high school years.
Youth and Family Alternatives will have its first RAP River Run to help other troubled young people on Saturday, June 14.
The five-kilometer walk-run will start at the band shell in New Port Richey's Sims Park, circle Orange Lake and continue along the Pithlachascotee River. The event will also feature the John H. Durney Fun Run around Orange Lake.
RAP House, which opened its doors in 1982, has beds for runaway and homeless young people from ages 10 to 17. It offers a safe environment, 24-hour supervision and professional counseling and is the only shelter for runaway teens in Pasco County.
"It's important kids have someone to care about them," said James J. Simms, Youth and Family Alternatives development director. "This will raise much needed funds for us to serve them."
The shelter is supported in part by United Way of Pasco County, Publix Super Markets Charities, Trinity Rotary Club and Trinity Business Bureau.
Spring Engineering is sponsoring the run and has already contributed $30,000 toward the event.
The five-kilometer race starts at 8 a.m. The Durney Fun Run is at 8:05 a.m. All registrants will receive colorful custom designed T-shirts. Winners in all age categories will receive small prizes.
Early registration fees are $15. After June 7, they are $20. Durney fees are $10.
For more information or to register go to the RAP River Run href=http://www.rapriverrun.com> Web page.
Cheryl Bentley can be reached at 727-815-1069 or cbentley@suncoastnews.com.
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