Citizen Advocacy of Washington County

Advocacy Is Joanne!

Dear Friend, November 2011

Advocacy. I’ve spent years defining the term for people. It seems that not only is the word difficult to say, it’s also difficult to define.When most people hear the term they think of legal things or, perhaps, someone who assists others in a Pro bono fashion. You know, doing things for free that they could charge for. But these things have little or nothing to do with Citizen Advocacy. Nevertheless, words alone have always fallen short of an explanation.

When asked to explain Citizen Advocacy I’ve always tried to stay away from the “Well, you know, it’s like this or that.” I’ve found this inadequate as well. Citizen Advocacy has often been compared to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.When hearing about our program, this comparison is often thought of. It also falls short of completeness and meaning. So, my preferred way of describing Citizen Advocacy is story telling. For example, the following story of Joanne and Adam really helps explain what Citizen Advocacy is.
Let me tell you about Joanne and Adam.They were in each other’s lives for over 20 years. It all started when Joanne applied to be an advocate at the Citizen Advocacy office. At the time, Adam was thought of as a “trouble-maker” and was having problems at home.The first time they met was at Adam’s home. When 13-year old Adam opened the door for Joanne, the first words out of his mouth were “Hi Buddy!” Joanne knew at that moment that her life would change forever.

The two of them loved to talk about their history together. Some good times, and some bad, but they both were so happy to have each other. Joanne said it was a match made in heaven. With Joanne in Adam’s life, he has gained the right to vote (he hasn’t missed a single election since that day), attained a job in the community, became team manager for the West Bend East High School football team, started a band, bought his own bike, earned his own way to Disney World, moved into a loving and caring home with Joanne, and is known and respected by his surrounding community. With Adam in Joanne’s life she came out of her shell. Because of Adam’s outgoing nature, she learned to fight for what she believed (and never take no for an answer) and she gained someone that she could share her time with. Adam made Joanne’s life fuller and more meaningful.

This tight-knit relationship did not blossom without a few hurdles. Joanne underwent a series of surgeries after she met Adam that ultimately concluded her working life at a very young age. She made up her mind that life was going to change, but she had a lot of questions and doubts about herself and her abilities. When Adam needed a home at age18, she wasn’t sure what to do.When somebody suggested to Joanne that she could become an adult group home provider for Adam, she seriously questioned whether or not she had the ability. But, Joanne’s determined nature led her to move from her farm home to a new home closer to school for Adam in West Bend. Joanne’s friends and family were readily accepting of these changes in her life.
Joanne and Adam were changed forever. Neither was able to fathom what life would be like without each other because their lives were so intertwined, but they both agreed on this: their lives had been changed forever.
Joanne passed away in October of this year after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. As I visited with her friends and relatives at the wake, one thing struck me. Even though Joanne was gone, Adam’s presence was evident as he stood bravely beside her, shaking hands and receiving hugs from the hundreds who came that afternoon. It was clear that he wasn’t about to forget her or what she had taught him about giving and receiving friendships. Adam would be OK because Joanne cared in the first place. And with your help more Joanne’s will step forward to make up for her absence.

If you need a definition of Advocacy, it is as simple as this: Advocacy IS Joanne and always will be wonderful citizens like her who care enough to be a friend to someone who is not asking for anything more than that––friendship.

Sincerely yours,
Mark Brunner Executive Director, Citizen Advocacy of Washington County

For further information, call 262-334-3384 or contact Mark Brunner:
Email: mbrunner@cawash.org

FREE A Friend Indeed DVD with any investment over $75! Offer Expires December 15, 2011

All gifts to Citizen Advocacy of Washington County are fully tax deductible!