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CNN Live Today

Interview With Picabo Street

Aired June 09, 2003 - 10:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Here is a grim reminder of how rare this happy ending is. According to government statistics, three children die from abuse or neglect every day in this country. Furthermore, child abuse is reported every ten seconds. For years, it was a virtually silent crime, but no more. The National Children's Alliance is one group striving to educate the public, and Olympic Gold Medalist Picabo Street is helping by serving as the group's spokesperson -- good to see you Picabo.
PICABO STREET, SPOKESPERSON, NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, how in the world did you get lured into this project?

STREET: Well, first of all, I want to make it very clear, I'm not an expert on child abuse. I grew up in a loving home and I want other children to have the same opportunity. I want kids to have a chance to dream of becoming something like I did in my life, and when you're living in a home that's dysfunctional and unhealthy that way, you don't dream like that. You dream of how you can get out of that situation, and that is all you think about, and I really want the children to have an opportunity to have a safe place to go.

WHITFIELD: And then, part of the objective for the National Children's Alliance would be to really educate the public about trying to wrap their arms around every child out there, even if it's not your kid at home. But since a lot of this abuse takes place at the home, that means educating parents is the trickiest part. So is part of the campaign to try and get neighbors and those alike to try to care for every child?

STREET: Basically, the general awareness we need to spread is that there are over 300 centers around country that are put in place specifically to help a child in need in this situation. The awareness is what we need to have happen. We need people to know that these centers are available in their communities and we need other people to know that if they want a center like this and there is a need for it in their community, we have national standards that they can get their hands on and they can put this center together for their children and create a safe haven for their kids and squash the statistics that are growing in this country. One out of four girls, one out of seven boys will be affected by the time they graduate from high school if they even make it that far.

WHITFIELD: So what's the progress of these centers, and how they're coming to a neighborhood near you, so to speak? STREET: Basically, the general concept around these centers is the community has ownership to some degree of these centers. They have a director there that runs the center, and all of the intricate, needed people that come in during a disclosure like this, they come -- the team comes to the child.

The child is taken from the home and put into this center, and it's like grandma's house. There is teddy bears, there fresh-baked -- bread baking in the oven, there is cookies, there is a very comfortable environment for the child to come in and play. And during this period, they -- they're in a room that's very comfortable. There is a video camera. They one time disclose their situation. It is caught on tape and audioly (ph), and they hopefully don't have to go to the police station or the courthouse or any of those scary and intimidating places for a 32-year-old law abiding citizen like myself. I go to the police station, it intimidates me. I can't imagine being a 7-year-old in a situation like -- like a child abuse situation having to go there and see the ramifications. You feel like you've done something wrong, and so these centers are very comfortable, they're very friendly, and the community comes together. The law enforcement, the mental and physical health groups come together. Every one comes together and sheds all of their other cloaks and they work together to create a safe haven for the child to disclose their situation, be removed from their environment if they need to be, and placed in a safe place to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and potentially become leaders in this country.

WHITFIELD: Well, Picabo Street, in addition to the National Children's Alliance, how are you maintaining your passion of skiing as an Olympic medalist and now retired Olympian?

STREET: Well, I have a lot things that I am being involved with. This is one of my primary things. I've also started a foundation for young dreamers myself. But to personally satisfy my own adrenalin needs, I've been racing cars a little bit, which has been fun.

WHITFIELD: Whoa.

STREET: And I've been exploring different television opportunities. I've got a lot of things out there that I'm kind of juggling to see where I end up, and make my time the most efficient as I move forward.

WHITFIELD: OK.

STREET: But more of my time is spent, honestly, really trying to create an environment for young people to believe in themselves, feel confident and be courageous, get through the tests that God gives them in life, and move forward and become nice people, good citizens, and just patriotic, happy Americans.

WHITFIELD: All right. Picabo Street as a spokesperson for the National Children's Alliance, taking care of the need for speed as well as the need to help our nation's children. Thanks very much for joining us. We appreciate it.

STREET: Thank you for having me.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired June 9, 2003 - 10:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Here is a grim reminder of how rare this happy ending is. According to government statistics, three children die from abuse or neglect every day in this country. Furthermore, child abuse is reported every ten seconds. For years, it was a virtually silent crime, but no more. The National Children's Alliance is one group striving to educate the public, and Olympic Gold Medalist Picabo Street is helping by serving as the group's spokesperson -- good to see you Picabo.
PICABO STREET, SPOKESPERSON, NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, how in the world did you get lured into this project?

STREET: Well, first of all, I want to make it very clear, I'm not an expert on child abuse. I grew up in a loving home and I want other children to have the same opportunity. I want kids to have a chance to dream of becoming something like I did in my life, and when you're living in a home that's dysfunctional and unhealthy that way, you don't dream like that. You dream of how you can get out of that situation, and that is all you think about, and I really want the children to have an opportunity to have a safe place to go.

WHITFIELD: And then, part of the objective for the National Children's Alliance would be to really educate the public about trying to wrap their arms around every child out there, even if it's not your kid at home. But since a lot of this abuse takes place at the home, that means educating parents is the trickiest part. So is part of the campaign to try and get neighbors and those alike to try to care for every child?

STREET: Basically, the general awareness we need to spread is that there are over 300 centers around country that are put in place specifically to help a child in need in this situation. The awareness is what we need to have happen. We need people to know that these centers are available in their communities and we need other people to know that if they want a center like this and there is a need for it in their community, we have national standards that they can get their hands on and they can put this center together for their children and create a safe haven for their kids and squash the statistics that are growing in this country. One out of four girls, one out of seven boys will be affected by the time they graduate from high school if they even make it that far.

WHITFIELD: So what's the progress of these centers, and how they're coming to a neighborhood near you, so to speak? STREET: Basically, the general concept around these centers is the community has ownership to some degree of these centers. They have a director there that runs the center, and all of the intricate, needed people that come in during a disclosure like this, they come -- the team comes to the child.

The child is taken from the home and put into this center, and it's like grandma's house. There is teddy bears, there fresh-baked -- bread baking in the oven, there is cookies, there is a very comfortable environment for the child to come in and play. And during this period, they -- they're in a room that's very comfortable. There is a video camera. They one time disclose their situation. It is caught on tape and audioly (ph), and they hopefully don't have to go to the police station or the courthouse or any of those scary and intimidating places for a 32-year-old law abiding citizen like myself. I go to the police station, it intimidates me. I can't imagine being a 7-year-old in a situation like -- like a child abuse situation having to go there and see the ramifications. You feel like you've done something wrong, and so these centers are very comfortable, they're very friendly, and the community comes together. The law enforcement, the mental and physical health groups come together. Every one comes together and sheds all of their other cloaks and they work together to create a safe haven for the child to disclose their situation, be removed from their environment if they need to be, and placed in a safe place to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and potentially become leaders in this country.

WHITFIELD: Well, Picabo Street, in addition to the National Children's Alliance, how are you maintaining your passion of skiing as an Olympic medalist and now retired Olympian?

STREET: Well, I have a lot things that I am being involved with. This is one of my primary things. I've also started a foundation for young dreamers myself. But to personally satisfy my own adrenalin needs, I've been racing cars a little bit, which has been fun.

WHITFIELD: Whoa.

STREET: And I've been exploring different television opportunities. I've got a lot of things out there that I'm kind of juggling to see where I end up, and make my time the most efficient as I move forward.

WHITFIELD: OK.

STREET: But more of my time is spent, honestly, really trying to create an environment for young people to believe in themselves, feel confident and be courageous, get through the tests that God gives them in life, and move forward and become nice people, good citizens, and just patriotic, happy Americans.

WHITFIELD: All right. Picabo Street as a spokesperson for the National Children's Alliance, taking care of the need for speed as well as the need to help our nation's children. Thanks very much for joining us. We appreciate it.

STREET: Thank you for having me.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com