Brian Marrero has touched the lives of more than 19,000 kids as a youth care worker at the Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center in Walnut Hills.

The 45-year-old Northside man, who has a way of reaching out to troubled youths to make them feel comfortable, has been given the Employee of the Year award for his work.

He doesn't get involved in analyzing a kid's mind. He leaves that to counselors.

He simply talks to them and makes sure they are OK when they arrive at the crisis center.

"I don't treat them like guinea pigs to be studied," he said. "They are human beings who have human problems. They may drive you crazy and sometimes they break your heart, but that is part of getting to know them."

The Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center was established in 1974 as a safe place for runaway teens. Last year, more than 1,200 children and youths sought emergency shelter care at the center.

Mr. Marrero serves as the conduit between horror and safety for many of them. His main emphasis is talking with the teens, assigning them chores and a little short-term counseling.

"Sometimes I let them help me when I cook. This makes them feel at home, and it gives them a feeling of importance when they are doing something with you," he said.

He has had some scary moments, he said, like the time a teen tried to commit suicide.

"The kid actually smashed his hand through a glass and cut his wrist. I had to grab him, hold his hand above his head so he couldn't see it and at the same time keep talking to him. It finally worked out and we saved him," Mr. Marrero said.

Mr. Marrero attended Purcell High School and Xavier University. He said he has done various kinds of work, including as a typewriter repairman.

He was hired in 1983 by Bob Mecum, executive director of Lighthouse, as a youth care worker.

Program director Thad Parker nominated Mr. Marrero for the Employee of Year award.

"I was surprised and shocked. I was sitting there waiting to see who would get the award when they called my name," Mr. Marrero said.

Debbie Latter, division director of the crisis center, said the kind of respect and work record Mr. Marrero has is unheard of.

"The most important thing is that Brian has never had one single complaint about him from a youth or a parent," Ms. Latter said.

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is offering free GED practice tests at six branches.

Hours are: Thursday, Sharonville Branch, 10980 Thornview Drive, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 13, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Cheviot Branch, 3711 Robb Ave.; Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Green Twp. Branch, 6525 Bridgetown Road; Feb. 26, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Corryville Branch, 2802 Vine St.; March 1, 12-5 p.m., Harrison Branch, 10398 New Haven Road, and March 19, 12-5 p.m., Norwood Branch, 4325 Montgomery Road.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. Contact him at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.