Published: November 07, 2009 10:03 pm      

Citizen of the Week: Ann Kendall

When the seven teenage residents of Oak Haven Girls Group Home have to leave their children to attend group sessions, counseling, parenting classes and other activities designed to help them become better moms, they know the youngsters are in caring hands.

Especially on Wednesday evenings.

Following a long day at work at Shaw Industries, Ann Kendall doesn’t head home for dinner and time with her family. Instead she makes her way to Oak Haven — as she has for many years — to love and nurture the children there. And according to program manager Bruce Kenemer, Kendall grows quite attached to the little ones.

“She deeply loves these children,” he said. “She knows she’s taking care of a teenage mom and a precious 2-year-old at the same time. People like that amaze me. We just don’t have the money to pay people to do that. We depend on volunteers like Ann.”

Kenemer said the residents know what a treasure they have in Kendall.

“The moms realize what is being given to them,” he said. “They know ‘Ann is investing in my child, my family.’”

For her work with the babies of Oak Haven, The Daily Citizen names Ann Kendall Citizen of the Week.