Legacy | A Publication of Lena Pope Legacy | Summer 2013 | Page 6

Family Matters Counseling

School & Community Services

By Margaret Cohenour

By Wayne Vaughan

Director, Family Matters Counseling

Director, School and Community Based Services

When asked what is special about the therapists at Lena Pope

As I complete my first year as the director working

Home, many things come to mind. Their dedication, and

with Lena Pope staff who work in the Juvenile Justice

their commitment to clients must be mentioned, but it goes

Alternative Education Program, I am inspired by the

so much deeper than that. To help someone deal with issues

dedication of those working everyday to provide these

that impact their ability to be successful takes a very special

students opportunities to excel. The program provides

person. Working in a counseling environment is a calling;

alternative education to students who have severe

it’s not just a job; therapists can’t turn it on and off. They are

criminal or school conduct violations.

passionate about their work. Recently, I came upon one of
my staff sitting in a quiet room, face down between her arms.

Each day I witness Lena Pope staff and those of our

She had just come out of an extremely difficult session where

partners, working to provide these students with the

all her attention was focused on helping a client deal with

opportunity to improve themselves. Some students take

an unexpected loss of a loved one. What struck me is how

advantage of this opportunity quickly, and some are

deeply this affected my staff. And it reminded me that our

predictably more resistant. The staff who work directly

mission — to help create hope, happiness and success for

with these students are special to me. They work day in

children and their families — is sometimes a very challenging

and day out with students who typically neither want to be

path with many obstacles for our clients to overcome.

Margaret Cohenour

nor think they should be at this school. I have seen these
staff be disrespected and mocked by teenagers many

I was so moved by the emotion she felt for her client and

times, but I have never seen them hold it against a student

the quiet determination to do whatever she needed to help

or quit on a student. This job requires more than an ability

them. This made me more determined to do whatever I can

Wayne and Crysta l Vaughan

to start fresh each day; it requires a constant ability to start

to support these amazing professionals. Without excellent

Family Matters Counseling.

over with a student, often times moment-by-moment

and their futures. It makes perfect sense that Lena Pope

staff, we wouldn’t be able to help the many families served by

I feel very fortunate to lead such an amazing team.

throughout the day. This school is a testament to not

is not just involved, but is a significant contributor to the

giving up, to collaborating and caring about students

program’s success.

Behind the scene team for Family Matters Counseling; Ruth Peterson, Cindy Stogsdill, Erin Fairleigh
6 LEGACY

Erica Loera, Lena Pope Behavior Interventionist, with two Alternative Education students

LEGACY 7