{"id":5025,"date":"2016-06-09T12:54:39","date_gmt":"2016-06-09T17:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/?p=5025"},"modified":"2016-06-09T12:55:08","modified_gmt":"2016-06-09T17:55:08","slug":"raising-our-girls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/2016\/06\/09\/raising-our-girls\/","title":{"rendered":"Raising Our Girls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local Judge Implements A Program For At-Risk Girls In Our Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Lydia Crochet<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A group member paints in art session.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u2019s 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: \u201cVictims 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\u2019s office. \u201cUpon referral, an assessment interview is conducted by one of the group\u2019s 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. \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing program that offers young girls experiences and opportunities that many never have had.\u201d 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 \u2026 They are survivors.<\/p>\n


\n<\/a>
\n<\/a> \"IMG_4274\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Why A Gender-Specific Group?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Statistics show that childhood abuse and neglect play a significant role in girls\u2019 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\u2019 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\u2019 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. \u201cWe began the group by creating a culturally competent and trauma-informed environment to honor the girls\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"IMG_4275\"<\/a>About The Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

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, \u201cThe group allows the girls to voice their opinions and ideas, as well as share their experiences with their peers, in a non-judgemental environment.\u201d But there\u2019s 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\u2019re 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\u2019t 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. \u201cWe\u2019ve graduated 55 girls from \u2018You Raise Me Up\u2019 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.\u201d 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, \u201cI\u2019ve never had a friend before, and now I have so many.\u201d Another young girl says it best, profoundly and simply \u2014 \u201cI\u2019ve always been sad and now I\u2019m happy.\u201d The girls aren\u2019t the only ones who benefit from the program. Allemond says, \u201cThey teach me things. I feel like I\u2019m 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.\u201d On her hopes for these girls, Cutrer says, \u201cOur 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.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Local Judge Implements A Program For At-Risk Girls In Our Community By Lydia Crochet   The Honorable Lilynn Cutrer is a Calcasieu Parish Family and Juvenile Court judge who has served the parish for over 17 years. 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