Volunteer Spotlight: Lolita Albers

Lolita Albers

What programs do you volunteer with at the CDR?

I work with Victim-Offender Mediation, the Victim Impact Panel, and am starting with Family Group Conferencing.

What drove you to become involved with these programs?

When I first heard about the CDR’s victim-offender mediation training several years ago I was immediately interested. Victims and offenders sitting down face-to-face and each telling their stories and listening to the other person’s story is powerful, and I was excited to become part of the process.  Mediation is an opportunity to prevent offenders from moving into the criminal justice system, which benefits those immediately involved as well as society in general. 

What is your favorite part about volunteering with the programs?

I’m continually inspired by the willingness of victims to help offenders move beyond their offense; this is especially true with juvenile offenders. 

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering at the CDR?

You will be involved with a program that allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Take Part in FREE Volunteer Training in Family Group Conferencing Facilitation April 20-21

Make a lasting difference for children and families in our community by volunteering as a Family Group Conference (FGC) Coordinator! The CDR will provide training April 20-21 for those who wish to volunteer to facilitate family group conferences for kids with a parent in recovery.

Family group conferences bring a family together with relatives, friends, and other supportive people in their lives to develop a plan to support the parent in recovery and ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved. Family group conferencing helps develop and strengthen a family’s support network, benefiting children and their family groups, while putting the family at the center of decision-making as they create plans that fit their unique circumstances.

For more information on this training and volunteer opportunity, visit http://www.missouristate.edu/cdr/FGC_training.htm. 

Advancing MSU’s Public Affairs Mission: The CDR Takes Part in Major Federal Grant

The CDR received exciting news this spring when it partnered with Alternative Opportunities Inc. (AOI) in Springfield, Missouri, in applying for and receiving a Department of Health and Human Services Regional Partnership Grant to Increase the Well-Being of and to Improve the Permanency Outcomes for Children Affected by Substance Abuse.

This grant, which was submitted by AOI and included a number of partnering agencies, will provide up to 1 million dollars per year for 5 years. In this first year the CDR will receive $32,000 to provide Family Group Conferences for children with a parent in recovery. These funds allow the CDR to provide training for grant staff, community stakeholders, and partners to get their buy-in, and recruit, train, and monitor volunteer facilitators engaged in the family group conferencing process (which will include CDR staff, community volunteers, and MSU students). This type of grant activity is one powerful example of work that fosters the MSU Public Affairs Mission and benefits students and the community.

Networks for Girls Title-II grant renewed for second year

We are thrilled to announce that that our Title-II grant funding the Networks for Girls program has been renewed for a second year! This $51,000 grant provides funds so that the CDR can offer the Networks for Girls program, which provides family group conferencing and a Girls Circle group for young women in Greene County who are facing behavioral issues (including juvenile offending, status offenses, truancy, etc.) and struggling with communication and conflict issues in the home.

Youth in the program first take part in a family group conference, facilitated by program volunteers, where they can discuss their behavior with supportive family and community members and develop an “action plan” to address the harm caused and avoid future problems. Next girls take part in an 8-week educational support group called “Girls Circle,” which offers a fund, supportive learning environment where they can connect with other girls and use authentic voices to explore issues such as relationships, communication, body image, and more. Finally the girls come back together with their family for a final family group conference to celebrate their successes and “tweak” their actions plans, if necessary, so that they can continue to be successful into the future.

The first year of the Title-II grant saw the CDR establish this unique program, and in the second year we are excited to see the program grow! If you, or someone you know, would benefit from the services of this program please don’t hesitate to contact us or read more about the program on our website.