Van Nuys : Surrogate Grandmas Visit Disturbed Youths

Bringing a little cheer into the lives of troubled teen-agers Thursday, a group of “surrogate grandmothers” threw a birthday party for the residents of an adolescent mental health clinic in Van Nuys.

It was the second time that members of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Los Angeles chapter came to the Erik & Joan Erikson Center bearing cake, punch, balloons and gifts. As many of them stressed, it won’t be the last.

“We wanted to bring some warmth and good feelings,” said Flavia Burg of the council’s Vista Val division. She explained that the women intend to make the parties a regular event.

“It’s a good way to get to know the kids,” she said.

Corrinne Merrick, the center’s administrator, said the facility houses about 50 teens with emotional and behavioral difficulties, many of whom have no family with whom to celebrate birthdays and other events.

“We’re their home and their family,” she said. For the students, Merrick explained that the monthly parties are an excellent way for them to interact with visitors and a chance to have the spotlight.

“It gives them an opportunity to meet with people from the community and feel that somebody is doing something special for them,” she said.

Each month, the women plan to throw a brief party for the center’s students, with small gifts for youths with birthdays that month, Burg said.

For LeVerne Simon of Woodland Hills, since many of her 12 grandchildren live far away, visiting the boys and girls of Erikson is a good substitute.

“I love all these kids, so I’m very rich,” she said, as 14-year-old Michael placed his arm around her and smiled warmly.