An Onslow County program designed to help others has been on the receiving end of some help of its own lately itself.

A group of Marine volunteers and members of the Ruff Ryders nonprofit organization are helping to renovate the PEERS Family Development Center.

PEERS (Parenting Education Empathy Rapport Support) offers a broad range of parenting programs, such as the Parents as Teachers program and the Adolescent Parenting Program.

The Marine volunteers have spent the past two weeks fixing up the playground. They have cut trees, put fencing around the deck and the side of the playground, painted the railing and built a concrete slab for bike riding. They also bought toys to put in the center’s playroom for the kids.

“We wanted to do something useful with the extra time that we had to help others,” said Mark Strudas.

Ruff Ryders helped the Marines paint the kitchen.

“This organization decided to volunteer at the PEERS Family Development Center for a specific reason. PEERS Family Development Center is an important organization because it guides kids in a positive way,” said Vee Johnson, first lady of the Ruff Ryders, a motorcycle group focused on volunteering.

In addition to the work at PEERS, they adopt families every Christmas and Thanksgiving, and clean up Blue Creek Road and Pony Farm Road every three months. They also mentor Onslow County foster children.

“With a motto of ‘each for reach for’ we wanted to give back to the community because children are the future,” said Johnson.

And children are the focus of PEERS.

It’s Adolescent Parenting program is directed towards first time teen moms under the age of 17. Teens in the program have to stay in school and postpone a second pregnancy.

“Teens who become pregnant often feel overwhelmed with all of their responsibilities so this program was made to provide services to them,” said program coordinator, Catherine Jensen.

Services that the program provides include transportation, healthcare information and help with getting enrolled in support programs like Women, Infants and Children.

“A support system is needed for these teens, and that’s what we’re here for,” said Jensen.

The Parents as Teachers program teaches parents age-appropriate activities.

“This program is to teach parents the skills that they need so they will be able to do activities with their children such as playing games or something as simple as communicating with them,” said Jensen.

Other programs include the reunification/visitation program, free drop-in child care, Circle of Parents and parenting curriculums.

For information on PEERS, call the center at 938-5447.