Raising Our Girls

Lydia Crochet Thursday, June 9, 2016 Comments Off on Raising Our Girls
Raising Our Girls

Local Judge Implements A Program For At-Risk Girls In Our Community

By Lydia Crochet

 

A group member paints in art session.

A group member paints in art session.

The Honorable Lilynn Cutrer is a Calcasieu Parish Family and Juvenile Court judge who has served the parish for over 17 years. Before becoming a judge, she worked as an attorney in the juvenile division of the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. Through the years, Cutrer has seen many cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse in which the victims were young females. She recognized a lack of services and support for these victims, who represent an extremely vulnerable and at-risk population in our community. Because girls and young women respond differently from young males to program interventions and treatment, Cutrer decided to create a program to facilitate healing and recovery for victims. The program provides a structured, consistent curriculum that caters to the specific needs of female youths. In 2014, through a grant funded by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, Cutrer founded the gender-specific, community-based, comprehensive program You Raise Me Up, for girls and young women ages 10-18 who have suffered some form of abuse. About twenty girls participate in the program, meeting every Tuesday evening for a minimum of 12 weeks. The meetings are centered on group therapy sessions with licensed counselors. Mary Kaye Allemond, program manager, explains how the girls and women are selected for the program: “Victims are referred to the program by judges, DCFS Child Protection workers, juvenile probation officers, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), school personnel and the district attorney’s office. “Upon referral, an assessment interview is conducted by one of the group’s licensed clinical social workers to confirm that both the juvenile victim and her family are appropriate for the program, and a treatment plan is then prepared. “It’s an amazing program that offers young girls experiences and opportunities that many never have had.” The girls are of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds, as abuse exists in all communities. But as different as they may seem, they all share a common denominator … They are survivors.



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Why A Gender-Specific Group?

Statistics show that childhood abuse and neglect play a significant role in girls’ involvement in the juvenile justice system, especially if the abuse occurs in the family. Abuse in the home often prompts girls to run away, which is one of the most prevalent risk factors for girls’ involvement in the juvenile justice system. Compared with boys of the same age, adolescent girls tend to be more anxious and stressed. They also tend to suffer from increased depression and lower self-esteem; experience more body dissatisfaction and distress over their looks; suffer from eating disorders; and attempt suicide more frequently. Several risks that girls face because of gender are sexism (due to the fact that there is less power and fewer options for females in society); victimization (abuse, child pornography, prostitution and other forms of exploitation); and poverty (teen pregnancy increases girls’ vulnerability to dropping out of school, health problems and delinquency). Gender-specific programming provides girls with decision-making and coping skills that will help them develop into womanhood. It teaches girls to speak for themselves and to recognize that they have choices. Cutrer, who has donated much of her time and her money to the program, is passionate about this project. “We began the group by creating a culturally competent and trauma-informed environment to honor the girls’ development and promote healthy relationships. A high percentage of our girls are victims of crime and trauma. We made every effort to recognize this with the population of girls we are serving. I think that is probably one of the most important factors.”

 

IMG_4275 About The Program

Each week, the girls participate in a group counseling session. The counselors follow up by calling the girls during to week and often do home visits to check in on them. Beth Marceaux, a counselor for the girls, says of the program, “The group allows the girls to voice their opinions and ideas, as well as share their experiences with their peers, in a non-judgemental environment.” But there’s much more to the meetings than counseling. The girls are mentored in living a healthy lifestyle. They discuss health issues, like skin care, healthy diets and how to deal with all the bodily changes that come with adolescence. There are weekly therapeutic activities, such as art projects. The girls play music, and even sing, during the sessions. The meetings are packed with activities most of these girls would never have the opportunity to participate in, such as Zumba lessons, yoga and occasional outings. Since some of the girls need to work even though they’re still teenagers, they are coached in how to dress for a job interview and how to complete a proper resume. The girls are given a hot, sit-down meal around a large table. In the beginning, this detail wasn’t given much thought; it was more of an added treat. But the weekly dinners have become a staple in the program. For most of these girls, this may be the only hot meal they receive all week. Some of them make sure to bring left-overs home for their families. At the meals, the girls are taught proper etiquette and receive a crash course in good manners. They learn everything from which fork to use to proper dinner conversation topics. Some of the girls have never eaten in a nice restaurant; they are taught how to conduct themselves while dining out. There are girls in the group who have never experienced holiday meal traditions in their homes. At Thanksgiving, they are given a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, complete with table-side service by Cutrer, Allemond, the counselors and volunteers. At the conclusion of the program, the girls are recognized with a special completion ceremony. “We’ve graduated 55 girls from ‘You Raise Me Up’ since we began in the fall of 2014. Our volunteers and counselors still mentor many of the girls, staying in contact with them; helping with finding employment, giving advice or just listening when the girls need someone they trust to talk with. Many of our graduates have gone on to graduate from high school or even complete higher education. Many are employed and contributing to our community.” Victims may remain in the program for an extended period of time or receive after-care sessions, depending on the level of their need. The best indicator that the program is working is the feedback from the girls themselves. All agree that the program has given them more confidence and better communication skills with their families. One girl says, “I’ve never had a friend before, and now I have so many.” Another young girl says it best, profoundly and simply — “I’ve always been sad and now I’m happy.” The girls aren’t the only ones who benefit from the program. Allemond says, “They teach me things. I feel like I’m the one learning from the girls. I feel so lucky to work with this group every week. It feels good to know that I am a part of something that could change their lives for the better.” On her hopes for these girls, Cutrer says, “Our goal is to instill pride in them; teach them self-respect and respect for others; and build character in order to be happy, productive, self-sufficient members of our community. And I believe we are accomplishing this.” As the program continues to grow, so do the needs of the group. And there are several ways the community can help. Toiletries and gift cards (used to purchase items the girls may need) are always welcome. Restaurants can help by providing the weekly meals. Call 337-437-3363 ext. 46 to see how you can help.

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