NORTHRIDGE TEEN WORKS TO EASE TRANSITION FOR OTHERS.

Byline: TRACY VALERI / Community Columnist

Albert Patterson knows what it's like to be a foster child and to be torn away from the only home he's known.

That's why the Northridge teen-ager has been gathering comforting and fun items for backpacks for foster children to make the already difficult transition from home to home less painful.

For his Eagle Scout project, Albert is in the process of filling 500 backpacks that will be given to the Department of Children and Family Services for distribution to child wards of the court.

Included in the packs will be toiletries, clothing, shoes, magazines and games.

He says the project also allows him to show his appreciation to DCFS, which that takes abused and neglected children out of their homes and places them in foster homes.

Symbria Patterson, foster mother for seven years to Albert, his sister, 17, and his brother, 8, says Albert needs help from the public for donated goods.

``Part of Albert's motivation is because he hopes it might stir some interest in the project and the needs of foster children,'' Patterson said.

McDonald's has donated 200 free meals, and Gregory Backpacks has donated 500 backpacks.

If you would like to donate items or money, contact Albert at [phone].

``There are 80,000 children in the foster care system,'' Albert said. ``I plan to fill all 500 of the backpacks. I need all the help I can get.''

Students in all 38 San Fernando Valley public high schools have been invited to participate in an essay contest describing why they will not have sex until after their nuptials.

``We want our young people thinking, talking and writing about saving sexual intimacy until marriage,'' said Karen Wuttken, director of community relations for Crisis Pregnancy Center of the San Fernando Valley. ``We believe they're worth waiting for.''

The Crisis Pregnancy Center is a nonprofit organization that works closely with women and girls who are pregnant, parents, schools, and communities.

The contest is a project involving health and journalism classes, peer counseling departments and gifted student programs.

The California State Board of Education Code requires schools to include discussion of the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sex outside of marriage.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger, psychologist and radio talk show host, will judge the entries.

First, second and third prizes will be awarded for 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders, and a $1,000 prize will be awarded to the school with the highest participation.

Assemblyman Robert M. Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, has demonstrated his commitment to serve Valley residents - including setting up office hours outside local grocery stores - but now he needs your help.

His office is working on a comprehensive Valley resource guide that will list community organizations and their annual events, as well as contact phone numbers.

``If it's in the Valley, I want it in this book,'' Hertzberg said.

If you belong to a group that you believe should be listed in the guide, submit information to: Robert Hertzberg, 6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 305, Van Nuys, CA 91401 or fax it to [phone].

Include the organization's name, president, address, phone, fax, e-mail or Web page, newsletter information, mission statement and annual events.

The deadline is April 15.

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Photo

PHOTO Boy Scout Albert Patterson sorts through donated backpacks he will fill with items to comfort 500 of the L.A. area's foster children.

David R. Crane/Daily News