CHILDREN AWAITING PARENTS

LAUREN CAMPBELL

Hello CAP friends! My first few months with CAP have been very busy and productive! A little about me! I am from the Thousand Islands originally and made my move to Rochester back in 2015, to begin my undergraduate degree in marketing at Nazareth College. Throughout my academic career, I had the opportunity to intern at Causewave Community Partners and the Rochester Red wings. I was able to gain experience and skills in the world of marketing. Fast forward a few years, I was introduced to the world of the Child Welfare. I was working with the Children’s Home of Jefferson County (CHJC), in Watertown New York. With CHJC I took on the position of their Homefinder.

For the last few years, I struggled with finding my passion in work. When this opportunity fell into my lap, it opened my eyes and quickly made me realize, this is the work I want to be doing. Recently, I have stepped back from Homefinding and have taken on this new position of Recruitment & Outreach Specialist. It has been a seamless adjustment and I am excited to share what is coming soon. As you all know, we have been very busy preparing for our 50th Anniversary Gala. From spreading the word about the Gala, to weekly meetings to finalize invitations, raffle items, guest speakers and the overall success of the event. Between board members, volunteers, and staff, we have all been very busy but excited to host a memorable night. We are very fortunate for the donations we have received for our auction. I have been working non-stop the last few months to get organized and making sure we have plenty of raffle items. I can’t take all the credit; I also thank my team here at CAP and our wonderful board members for all the help they have given me as I have been getting adjusted.

As we fast forward to the end of November, we have our annual Heart Gallery. The Heart Gallery exhibits our youth in care who are awaiting their forever families. This inspiring event gives families and the community the opportunity to learn more about what we do here at CAP and learn about the youth awaiting their forever families.

We are inviting the community on November 17th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to join us in our office on Anderson Ave. It will be a fun night filled with refreshments, food, guest speakers and to raise awareness and celebrate National Adoption Month. Alongside of preparation for the Gala, my next focus is on the Heart Gallery. Working with volunteers and staff to prepare photos for the event, guest speakers and the potential of a panel. We have done a panel in the past with families who have previously adopted and youth who have been adopted. It is a great opportunity for everyone to gain knowledge and hear some real-life stories.

I am also in full swing in my master’s program, where in two years I will have my graduate degree in Marketing Communications, and Leadership I am completing this degree at Nazareth College again. We are creating partnerships with my marketing class in hopes of developing ways to continue reaching our community and surrounding communities to raise awareness on what we do. We have also developed a partnership with a St. John Fisher media class.

They have been graciously helping with social media updates, new partnerships in the community, and some great media content we are excited to share shortly! Along with my current position and studies, I do have hopes for advancement within the agency. I am not only given opportunities in recruitment & outreach but also marketing and development. I am very thankful to be given these opportunities and thank the CAP team for welcoming me into their family and taking a chance on a new position.

There is lots of excitement as I plan to keep growing in my position and hope to one day fall into a roll of development.

“When this opportunity fell into my lap, it opened my eyes and quickly made me realize, this is the work I want to be doing.”