Bridges Out of Poverty: Seeing Beyond our

Casa lake county’s volunteer newsletter
March 2010
Bridges Out of Poverty: Seeing Beyond our Prejudices
Reviewed by CASA Volunteer Advocate Mary Barber
Our own life experience is a valuable tool in our work as CASAs. Ironically, it may also hamper our efforts to understand
children in poverty and their families. That’s the message that Jodi Pfarr brought to more than 120 participants in the “Bridges
Out of Poverty” workshop, February 20 at the Hewitt Associates campus in Lincolnshire. CASAs from Lake County were
joined by CASAs from DuPage, Kane and McHenry Counties as well as staff members from the 19th Judicial Circuit’s
Juvenile Division and area faith-based organizations.
“We can be better advocates for children in poverty,” said Pfarr, “if we understand how life experiences lead naturally to
prejudice.” Pfarr understands poverty. She is Executive Director of Emma Norton Services, a Minneapolis/St. Paul housing
agency for low-income women. An experienced consultant with a Masters of Divinity degree, she speaks from her personal
experience growing up with poverty.
What is “Normal”?
A mental model is an understanding of how things work in the real world. We all have a mental model based on our own life
experience, Pfarr explained. It’s natural. She said, to normalize our own experience—to assume that what we are used to is
the way things should be for everyone. This can lead us to make negative judgments about other people, simply because
they are different.
Which of the three models she presented looks most familiar to you? Which model would look most like real life to your CASA
children and their families?
If Your Experience Is
POVERTY
Relationship-Based
If Your Experience Is
MIDDLE CLASS
Achievement-Based
If Your Experience Is
WEALTH
Connections-Based
Focused on the Present
Focused on the Future
Focused on the Long Term
Power is linked to personal
Power is linked to position
Power is linked to expertise,
Problems are
inter-connected
Problems can often be
contained
Problems can be
more easily surmounted
“Class is the last place where The
Norm will tell others what to do and
think nothing of it.”
--Jodi Pfarr
Relationship-Based Lives
For people in poverty, said Pfarr, survival is day-to-day and depends on personal
relationships more than on institutions. At the same time, with limited resources,
ordinary tasks can take a long time and one problem can start a cascade of
troubles. This may lead a person in poverty to make practical trade-offs that don’t fit
middle-class expectations.”
For example, said Pfarr, the mother of our CASA child may be unable to get to work
because her car breaks down—or because her babysitter’s transportation is unreliable. On the other hand, she may miss an
appointment with an agency in order to pick up a baby-sitter whose services she needs to keep her job. And so on…
Building Mutual Respect
How can we, as CASAs, help build mutual respect with the children we serve and their families? After the workshop, Jodi
Pfarr offered these suggestions:
• Own your experience. Think about the mental model that formed your attitudes. Recognize the benefits you have from
being “normal.” Stop before you assume that someone who is different than you is automatically “less than. Distinguish
what is merely different from what is harmful to your CASA child. For example, piles of unwashed laundry may be part of
a stable, loving home. Physical violence is not.
• Try not to react too quickly and judge. Let’s say you’re visiting your CASA child’s foster home for the first time. If your
body language communicates discomfort, this may unwittingly align you with everyone who has negatively judged the
foster parent in the past. You can improve your genuine comfort level by spending more time in your CASA child’s foster
home.
Continued on page 7
Ask Claudia!
Ask Claudia is a new feature to this publication.
If you have a legal question for Claudia Lovelette, just contact her at clovelette@casalakecounty.com
Q: I think I understand generally what the term means, but does Illinois have a legal definition of the
term “best interest” that we should consider in our court reports?
A: Absolutely! The Juvenile Court Act spells out the meaning of “best interest” at length, with a very useful checklist of
factors that we should all consider when we do our observations and write our reports. The statute asks that we take
into account the child’s age and developmental needs as we consider these factors:
1.
the physical safety and welfare of the child, including food, shelter, health, and clothing.
2.
the development of the child’s identity;
3.
The child’s background and ties, including familial, cultural, and religious;
4.
The child’s sense of attachments, including:
- where the child actually feels love, attachment and a sense of being valued (as opposed to where adults
believe the child should feel such love, attachment, and a sense of being valued);
- the child’s sense of security;
- the child’s sense of familiarity;
- continuity of affection for the child;
5.
the child’s wishes and long term goals;
6.
the child’s community ties, including church, school, and friends;
7.
The child’s need for permanence, which includes the child’s need for stability and
continuity of relationships with parent figure and with siblings and other relatives;
8.
The uniqueness of every family and child
9.
The risks attendant to entering and being in substitute care; and
10.
The preferences of the persons available to care for the child.
News from the CASA Office
MENTOR MEETING
Tuesday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend our next MENTOR
MEETING at CASA Lake County’s Deerfield office co
-hosted by Advocate Managers Brenda Buranosky,
Lynn Harvey and Mary Neu-Stoppelman.
CASA University will begin a new training class
starting April 13th ! The six-week session will be held on
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00—9:00 p.m., at
our Deerfield office.
Just notify your Advocate Manager if you would like to
Space is still available and volunteers are always needed.
attend—we hope to see you there!
You, our current volunteers, are our best recruits. Tell your
friends about the rewards of becoming a CASA
volunteer.
For more information, contact Terri McDonnell or Mary
Bird-Parks at 847-808-9154, or e-mail them:
tmcdonnell@casalakecounty.com
mbirdparks@casalakecounty.com
2
News from the CASA Office
Front row: Stephanie Kunz, Pete Ross, Lisa O’Brien,
Stephanie Nagel, Sonja Peters-Cooprider, Joan Rehm
Second row: Jennifer Steinberg, Judge Ceckowski, Terri
Greenberg, Marcie Pickard, Gwen Ilori, Beth SheehanLucas, Mary Neu-Stoppelman, Liz Roop
Missing: Liz Monroe and Jane Williams
Welcome New Advocates!
Sworn in Thursday, February 11, 2010
Gwen Ilori, a resident of Arlington Heights, discovered CASA Lake County on the Internet. Her career is varied - in
past lives, she was a probation officer, a Special Education substitute teacher, and a realtor! Married for 25-years and
the mother of three, Gwen recently moved to the Chicago area from New Jersey.
Stephanie Kunz lives with her parents, sister and pets in Palatine and heard about CASA from her longtime friend and
now CASA teammate, Jennifer Steinberg. With her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, Stephanie took many
classes in child welfare and feels being a CASA advocate is an effective way to help.
Jennifer is a Rolling Meadows resident currently studying Psychology at Roosevelt University, and read about CASA at
school. After several different volunteer experiences, Jennifer feels her desire to make a difference will be realized
through advocating for children. After hearing about the possibility of working as a "CASA team", Jennifer immediately
contacted Stephanie and a "team" was born!
Elizabeth Monroe lives in Lake Bluff and teaches Latin at a middle school in Lake Forest. She also runs an
interscholastic debate league in the area. Initially, Liz heard about CASA from "Theta friends" and in her search for just
the right way to make the world a better place, researched and chose the CASA program. Liz loves to read, to
research, and to learn new things. A graduate of Lawrence University in Wisconsin in Classical Languages, she has an
MA in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction, and in addition to getting additional degrees in
Classics, Liz plans to take Krav Maga classes, the Martial art taught to members of the Israeli army.
Stephanie Nagel recently completed her MSW after interning at the Depke Juvenile Center and discovering the CASA
Lake County courthouse office. Stephanie lives with her parents in Deerfield until her wedding in August and enjoys
skiing, reading and scrapbooking.
Lisa O'Brien will partner on a CASA case with classmate Sonja Peters-Cooprider. A Gurnee resident, Lisa's
background includes law enforcement and corrections as well as experience in the education and medical fields. A
current student at College of Lake County, Lisa is working on a degree in Social Services with an emphasis on juvenile
issues. A mother of two children 18 and 12, Lisa is passionate about giving children a voice.
Sonja Peters-Cooprider heard about CASA from her College of Lake County instructor, CASA Lake County Advocate
Manager Hope May. A Fox Lake-Zion resident, Sonja will be teaming up with classmate Lisa O'Brien. A mother of five
children from age 16 - 26, Sonja is busy with children, school and pets!
Marcie Pickard, a busy mom of four boys ages 3 - 13, lives in Glencoe and found CASA on the Internet. A former
Estate Planning Attorney, Marcie loves to bike, swim, hike and kayak with her boys and husband Brad. Marcie's spare
time is spent volunteering at her children's schools, at her synagogue and as a Cub Scout leader.
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News from the CASA Office
Welcome New Advocates, cont’d.
Joan Rehm has been familiar with CASA for years throughout her career as an attorney in child welfare with the Cook
County court system. She comes to CASA Lake County via her friend and Advocate Manager, Chris Kanderas. Joan
was Director of Volunteer Services at Children's Memorial Hospital, a guardian ad litum and Hearing Officer at
Juvenile Court in Cook County, performed administrative work for the Chief Judge of the Child Protection Division
through the Permanency Project, and finalized her career in 2009 at the office of the Inspector General for DCFS. With
her husband, two cats and a chocolate lab named "Mocha", Joan splits her time between an apartment in the West
Loop and a home in Twin Lakes, WI.
Elizabeth Roop, a Gurnee resident, enjoys nature and photography with her nine-year-old son, her boyfriend, one dog,
three cats, and two fire-bellied toads! In addition to a retail career, Liz will soon graduate with a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
Her goal is to help in victim services on a professional level.
Peter Ross, an attorney for over 20 years with CASA Lake County-sponsor Hewitt Associates, has been repeatedly
exposed to CASA's good deeds. At home in Buffalo Grove with his wife and three adult children, Pete volunteered
extensively with his synagogue and local school district on many projects. Pete enjoys playing golf and tennis,
reading, and sports-viewing. He feels the strong communication and advocacy skills he practices as an attorney will
prove very effective as a CASA volunteer, making a difference to the community.
Beth Sheehan-Lucas, a Highland Park resident, read on-line about CASA Lake County. As a school psychologist for
over 25 years, Beth feels her experience consulting with teachers, parents, and children will prove helpful in her new
role as CASA volunteer. Beth is currently involved in setting up a food pantry in a local community and enjoys tennis,
running and travel. She is married with three children and a German Shepherd!
Jane Williams read about CASA in her local paper, the Lake Forester. With an Honors degree in English
Language
and Literature and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources, Jane and husband Gareth grew up in Great Britain,
lived in South Africa, and settled in Lake Forest. With two children in college, Jane volunteers as a reading and writing
tutor for kindergarten children in North Chicago with Reading Power, Inc. Her interests include travel, reading, and
cross-stitching.
URGENT:
Legislative Call to ACTION!
This is your opportunity to tell the Governor’s office that funding CASA in Illinois should be a priority. This will only take a
few minutes of your time. PLEASE visit www.budget.illinois.gov and, in your own words, ask for support for funding of
CASA!
Governor Pat Quinn's budget office has designed a web page dedicated to the Illinois budget. As you may be aware, the
Governor has less than two weeks to prepare his budget for the state. Please take this wonderful opportunity to tell him,
state leaders and legislators that abused and neglected children not only matter but utilizing CASA will also save the state
money.
As always, it is important that you send this message using your own voice. Remember these comments will be posted for
all to view so be sure to represent CASA in the most positive light. All comments will be taken more seriously if they reflect
your individuality. Please keep that in mind while utilizing a few facts about funding for CASA.
Studies have shown that CASA involvement reduces the time a child spends in foster care by an average of 8 months. Or,
funding CASA will result in statewide savings by reducing the number of months children spend in foster care.
1. Children with a CASA Volunteer Advocate are more likely to achieve a permanent home.
2. llinois is one of only 7 states that does not fund the CASA program. Other states understand not only the cost savings
but the importance of permanency for our children.
3. Experts in child development have thoroughly documented that a major factor in avoiding costly outcomes for abuse
children is the presence of a concerned adult in a child's life. CASA Volunteer Advocates provide that service and
give these children hope.
Thank you for your support of our state’s abused and neglected children. If you have any questions or require any further information, please contact
Ruth Lane at 309/683-8788 or ruth@illinoiscasa.org
4
News from the CASA Office
Save the Date
Summer Camps
for the
There are two wonderful summer
camps that we want to highlight for
you as you begin to plan summer
activities for your CASA children.
2010 Volunteer
Appreciation Dinner
Royal Family Kids Camp:
This camp is tailored for our CASA children ages 711 who live in Lake and Cook counties. Once a child
attends this camp they can return each year until
they are age 11 even if they are returned
home. This camp is privately funded so there is no
cost for the children to attend and campers are
accepted via application on a first come first served
basis. This year’s camp takes place June 13-18.
On April 28, 2010
Kemper Lakes Golf Club
Look for your invitation coming soon!
Holiday Home Camp:
Many of our CASA children have attended this camp
in years past for either 1 or 2 week
sessions. Campers are ages 7-16 depending on the
session. Camp takes place throughout the summer
from June 21-August 13. There are limited
scholarships available to our CASA children and will
be awarded on a first come first served basis.
If you are interested in more information about
these camps or to get an application please see
your Advocate Manager.
The Illinois Association for Infant Mental Health Presents
The Impact of the Child Welfare System on the Young Child
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
9:00—11:30 a.m.
Jewish Child & Family Services
255 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL
Register online at www.ilaimh.org
$30 fee/2 hrs. continuing ed. credit
KUDOS for CASAs
To Susan Ahern and Suzy Palmer for stepping up their advocacy on behalf of two girls caught in the
bureaucracy of the judicial system. After 5 years, the girls were close to being adopted by their foster mother,
but the natural parents reentered the case after a long absence and have threatened the adoption. The
caseworker and agency have changed many times over 5 years, and the current agency doesn't have an understanding
of the history of the family. Susan and Suzy have worked with the GAL and the State's Attorney to prevent hasty
decision making and to advocate for the information needed to make best-interest decisions regarding the girls'
permanancy.
To Noga Villalon for arranging pro bono orthodontia for a 14year-old with severe malocclusion.
5
KUDOS for CASAs cont.
To Bill Wohlfeil for holding together a special needs placement for a high-maintenance teen. This boy has
many challenges and has trouble following rules. He got caught between his foster mother's need for
structure in her home and his mother's opinion of what kind of environment he needed. After the child had a
meltdown that led to a hospitalization, Bill was instrumental in holding the foster placement together.
To Pam Cupp, Dave Roseberry, and Pete Ross, CASA volunteers who work at Hewitt Associates, whose
tireless help and “sweat equity” helped to make the setup, registration and cleanup of our full day in-service at Hewitt on
February 20th an amazing success!
To Suzanne Cash, for recruiting members of Lake County faith communities to participate in Bridges Out of Poverty,
increasing our attendance and broader community awareness of this issue. One attendee has now become a CASA
Lake County volunteer advocate trainee!
To Sara Adler, Angie Affolter and Pam Cupp, who volunteered their time during the Bridges Out of Poverty event to
sell CASA cookbooks and distribute CASA Closet goodies in support of our children.
To Cynthia Leman who, since accepting her case on December 14, has submitted three court reports for three hearings
already. She has visited the children with their FM at least four times and the childrens' school at least five
times. School officials told Cynthia that they were glad that finally someone was paying attention to the children.
Cynthia has brought serious housing and education issues to the court's attention, which Judge Ceckowski has brought
up at every hearing.
Kudos to Andrea Wintroub and Leslie Wade for getting off to a great start. With just one month on the job, they have
visited their five children multiple times, visited all the schools, kept careful notes, and written a detailed and very
informative first report.
Kudos to Julie Langley for maintaining objectivity at all times despite difficult emotional issues between foster parents in
her case. Julie has always kept her focus on the children and their need for a safe permanent home. With Julie's help, it
looks now like they are on their way to adoption by a family that will give them love and understanding as they recover
from a traumatic past.
Book Review
Volunteer Advocate Cynthia Leman recommends The Glass Castle, a memoir written by Jeannette Walls. Here
is Cynthia’s review of the book. Thanks, Cynthia!
Jeannette Walls’ memoir The Glass Castle begins as she is sitting in a cab in the rain in New York
City watching a woman rummage through a dumpster in an ally. The woman is Jeannette’s mother.
Jeannette shrinks down in her seat from shame as the cab passes by.
And so The Glass Castle begins, with its tale of a family of four children; Jeannette, her two sisters
and brother, and the life of poverty they endured. Jeannette’s parents were nonconformists, esoteric
dreamers who had no interest in providing a “normal” middle class life for their children. Jeannette’s
mother was a painter, and Jeannette’s father, although highly intelligent, was a chronic alcoholic.
Much of any income, mostly from scams, theft, and occasionally from a parent working, went to dad’s
addiction.
The children went without food for days at a time. They were left to forage for food in their school’s
cafeteria garbage cans, from neighbors, or from fields and trees in the neighborhood. They never
lived anywhere for long, as the illegal escapades their father invented resulted in the family moving often, many times in
the middle of the night to elude the law. Each time a significant crisis occurred, it was positioned by the parents as an
adventure, to teach their children a life lesson. Thus, many times the extreme neglect and poverty the children
experienced was viewed by them as such. Fitting into society, living a “normal” life, was not encouraged by Jeannette’s
parents. Dad would disappear for days at a time, on a binge, and mom, due to psychosis and depression, would not get
out of bed for days. The children were left to survive on their own. The incredible relationship between Jeannette and
her sisters and brother are a highlight of the darkness. The siblings created a bond that was closer than most because
they needed to cling together to survive.
After years of hunger, living in squalor and neglect, Jeannette’s older sister designed a plan to get out. All the children
eventually got out, and incredibly, grew into an adjusted life of work, responsibility and became a part of the society their
parents shunned. All except Jeannette’s youngest sister, who suffered from some of the same demons her mother did.
The Glass Castle is a true story of survival. Even with a childhood of extreme poverty, hunger, and instability in every
way, these children survived and grew into adjusted adults. This story gives us hope. The incredible compassion,
forgiveness and acceptance that Jeannette shows her parents, even after fully realizing the horrific chaos she endured,
is redemptive.
6
(Bridges Out of Poverty—cont. from page 1)
•
•
•
Collaborate. Talk with—not at—the person you’re helping. Be honest, sincere and respectful. You’re not just
another person intruding into your CASA family’s business. Respectfully say that you need information so you can be
as fair as possible in your reports to the court.
Don’t assume that a person in poverty isn’t motivated to change. “In poverty,” said Pfarr, “it’s all about the Right
Now.” For example, she said a mother in poverty may not fully appreciate future consequences in the abstract.
However, if she can imagine how it would feel to have her children back at home with her, she can be helped to plan
backwards—that is, to list the steps she must take to reach her own vision of the future.
Remember that change is hard. A person who leaves poverty will lose his or her normal connections and may not fit
with people from a different experience. This is painful and difficult for anyone, regardless of class.
Completion of the “Bridges Out of Poverty” all-day workshop earned participating CASAs six continuing-education credits. Special thanks
to Hewitt Associates, our workshop host, for their generous sponsorship. Thanks to Mary Barber for lending her expertise in capturing the
day’s events for this article.
ARE YOU READY?
GET SET
We are not asking you to run. We are not asking you to walk.
We are asking you to STAND UP for our children.
CASA volunteers and Friends of CASA
Launch a Forgotten Children Campaign to Raise Funds and Awareness
for our Children
DON’T FORGET TO LOOK FOR A LETTER THIS MONTH
FROM TERRI Z. GREENBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
7
Development News
Walden Elementary School Grants Wishes for CASA Lake County Children!
This past December Walden Elementary School in Deerfield partnered with CASA Lake County volunteers for the first W.E.
Care for CASA program to grant wishes for our neediest children. This effort was spearheaded by Walden parent Heidi
Sparacino with the support of the PTO Philanthropy Committee. The W.E. Care for CASA program was a great success.
CASA volunteers submitted their wishes on behalf of the children they advocate for, and then the wishes were filled by the
parents and community of Walden Elementary School. The CASA volunteers who participated were so excited to bring
forward the needs of their children and overwhelmed with the generosity of the gifts that were provided.
Thank you to the PTO Philanthropy Committee for supporting this effort, and to the teachers who explained to the children
what CASA Lake County is all about. On behalf of our CASA children, thank you to the parents and families who
abundantly gave so that our children could have their wishes granted. And deepest appreciation to Heidi for her caring and
vision that saw this project through from beginning to end. It was a privilege and a blessing to work with the Walden
Elementary School Community.
CASAblanca - Planning Assistance Needed
Please join us as we begin to plan our November 13th benefit which will be held at the Westin Chicago
North Shore. Volunteers are needed to solicit donations, plan our décor, food and publicity, find corporate
sponsors, and assist behind the scenes.
Funds raised enable us to train and support additional CASA volunteers. We have over 230 incredible volunteers
speaking for over 545 children. Our goal is to have a volunteer giving voice to the needs of every abused and
neglected youth in the Lake County court system.
Interested in helping out?
Contact Patti at pfrazin@casalakecounty.com or 847-808-9154, ext. 13
Chicago Blackhawks Signing
Featuring MARIAN HOSSA
Thursday, March 11th 7:007:00-8:00 pm
FLATLANDER’S RESTAURANT
200 VILLAGE GREEN - LINCOLNSHIRE, IL 60069
Only $45 per autographautograph-Proceeds Benefit
CASA Lake CountyCounty-PrePre-order your tickets today!
847847-913913-0177
*$45 per signature for pictures, pucks, minimini-helmets
*$60 per signature for jerseys & sticks
Sponsored by Auction Merchandise Source
*Memorabilia available for purchase
8
March 2010
MON
TUE
1
9:00 AM
2
Fendrych, Bernardi,
Curschman, Kamka,
Koesser/Henton, Jennings,
Hulseman
WED
3
THU
FRI
4
9:00 AM
5
Roseberry, Persico,
Salberg/Stein, Laskowski,
Kotzin/Kemp, Ross, Bergin,
McLaughlin, Berkowitz
1:30 PM
Ball
8
9:00 AM
Peterscooprider/O’Brien,
Wintroub, Wade, Huber,
Carroll, Taylor, Lake,
Pickard, Razzaq, Ekholdt,
Cohen/Laser
9
10
9:00 AM
Tice
11
9:00 AM
Jolley, Walker, Hui,
Bird-Parks
12
18
9:00 AM
Smarto, Ahern/Palmer,
Salberg/Stein, Ardell,
19
1:30 PM
Johnson, Ganyu, Piner
15
9:00 AM
Onan, Turner, Masella,
Caban, Lewis
16
1:00 PM
MENTOR MEETING AT
DEERFIELD OFFICE ALL CASAs WELCOME!
RSVP with your Manager
17
22
9:00 AM
Dee, Kiekenapp,
Peterson, Wohlfeil,
Brinley, Shannahan,
Myalls/Setteducate
23
24
29
9:00 AM
Langley, Cash,
Barber/Gonzalez,
Perce
30
31
1:30 PM
Taylor, Kamka,
Berkowitz, Stauner
St. Patrick’s
Day
10:30 AM
Winter/Silverstein
25
9:00 AM
Rolfsen, Krizik
1:30 PM
Hamilton
1:30 PM
Laser/Cohen
9
26