Mark your calendars for March 16 and 17, 2012!

That is the date of the Community Caring Council’s Annual Conference.  The topic this year is “Raising Emotionally Healthy Children” based on a book written by Gerald Newmark.  This conference is being combined with the annual We Care About YOUth Conference sponsored by the Parent and Community Education Committee.

We are excited to announce that two nationally known speakers have been confirmed as our key note speakers.

Veronica Getskow, instructor, lecturer, presenter and consultant for several universities and and agencies in southern California will be speaking on the “five essential critical needs” of youth as outlined in Dr. Newmark’s book.

• Respected
• Important
• Accepted
• Included
• Secure

Dr. Getskow has worked closely the Gerald and Deborah Newmark for many years and has extensive education and experience in child and adolescent development.

Marie Clark, Director of the Behavioral Science Institute of St. Louis, has worked with sexual offenders and the treatment of sexually abused youth for many years.  She is currently a consultant for adult and juvenile offender programs where she trains and supervises clinical and direct care staff and develops treatment programs. She will be addressing positive interventions for improving the emotional health of at-risk youth.

The Conference will follow the usual venue on Friday from 8am – 4pm at Dempster Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.  The targeted audience will be professionals who work with parents and/or youth.  Sessions will continue Friday evening and during the day on Saturday, targeting parents, foster parents, child care providers, and other caregivers.

Conference brochures and registration forms will be distributed in early February.

Wishing you the best for 2012!

On behalf of the Community Caring Council, thanks to all who contributed gift cards for our Christmas Assistance Program.

Approximately 15 families were assisted.

Brittany Berry and Lori Chapman
Brittany and Lori are in their last semester at SEMO State University majoring in Social Work. They have chosen to spend their last semester as interns with the Community Caring Council.  The Council is very pleased to have this opportunity to share the work of our agency with future social workers.  As always, we are learning from each other, and hope that their experiences in our office will make a difference in their futures.

Brittany will be working with me at the macro (community) level, attending community meetings, learning how to relate to community partners and how community-level work does impact individual clients eventually.  She will also be working with Housing Case Manager Natalie Sandoval at the micro (individual client) level.  Lori will be primarily be working with Community Case Manager Jaime Ludwig at the micro level.  They will both be meeting with our walk-in clients, assessing their needs and developing a service plan to meet those needs.  We will definitely keep them busy!  Many of you will be meeting and working with Brittany and Lori this semester.

A word from Brittany…

Hi, my name is Brittany Berry. I am 22 years old and originally from Malden, MO. I moved to Cape Girardeau to pursue my Bachelor’s degree at Southeast Missouri State University.

As a freshman at SEMO, I had every intention to pursue a degree in Nursing. Before my first semester even began, I had some scheduling issues and needed to pick up an elective. As fate would have it, I enrolled in “Intro to Social Work.” At this point, I had no knowledge or interest in Social Work. Now, I cannot imagine my life without Social Work. I truly believe I found my passion in Social Work and I hope to use it to empower vulnerable populations in many local communities.

Over the past three and a half years I worked for Southeast Online Programs. As lead student supervisor, I worked on many large projects such as developing an online orientation module and a one-note information database.  After much experience with Southeast Online, I was able to spend my last summer assisting the Director in advising students. I enjoyed this opportunity because I was able to assist students in academic planning as well as problem-solving. During this time, I was able to gain valuable professional experience.

As an intern at Community Caring Council, I am hoping to build on the skills and knowledge I have as well as strengthen my ability to advocate and challenge social justice issues on the community level. I also look forward to networking and gaining knowledge of other agencies in the area.  

Once I complete my internship, I would love to get a job working with community organizing or in the school system. I am very open to exploring new opportunities in Social Work and look forward to seeing where it will take me.

A word from Lori…

Hi, my name is Lori Chapman.  I am a non-traditional student from Oran, MO.  I have been married for 32 years and have four children and two grandchildren. 

In the past I have worked for several non-profit organizations.  From these work experiences, I have witnessed many areas of oppression and vulnerable populations.  It is through these encounters that I chose the field of social work.  Social Work gives me the opportunity to help those who are facing social injustices. Another reason I chose to study social work is from events that have happened in my own personal life.  I have overcome many challenges that have only made me stronger.  By empowering others, it is my desire to let them know that they too can rise above difficulties.

During the time I have been at Southeast Missouri State University, I have worked for the Foster Grandparent Program.  This has given me a glimpse into the lives of senior citizens and the obstacles they face each and every day. 

As an intern at Community Caring Council, I am excited to put the knowledge and skills I have learned in the last three and a half years to use.  I hope to create trust with those in the community and help resolve issues they may be facing.  I look forward to building strong networking relationships with other agencies and developing lifelong contacts.

Upon completing my internship, I would love to get a job working with pregnant women or substance abuse victims.  These are certainly not the only areas in which I am interested, and I am open to any and all possibilities.