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'Atmosphere of caring'
Anderson High principal McCord recognized for child advocate volunteering
There are children all over Madison County who need help, who need an advocate.
“Those who desperately need somebody, someone needs to stand up and take care of them,” said Lucinda McCord, Anderson High School principal.
McCord is one of the local educators who advocate for those children and has been recognized for her efforts by the East Central Indiana CASA Inc.
CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a nonprofit organization serving abused and neglected child victims in Hancock and Madison counties. CASA works with volunteer advocates who provide hundreds of neglected and abused children with a voice in the court.
CASA awarded McCord and Hancock County Juvenile Probation Officer Josh Sipes, of Charlottesville, with the 2012 Judge Jack Brinkman Child Advocate Award, given in appreciation of service, work and commitment on behalf of children.
Executive Director Annette Craycraft said the award is given to those who “go the extra mile and are often not recognized for it.” A board member nominated McCord, and Craycraft said they were impressed by her work with students, the increasing graduation rate and a new day care program, Cradles to Careers, that McCord is helping to implement in the school.
McCord – who has known Brinkman for years because she worked with kids on probation – has been an educator for 40 years and said she is humbled and honored to receive the award.
At Anderson High School, she said she tries to develop an “atmosphere of caring” so students know they can trust and come to her.
In his role as McCord’s assistant and as the 2012 senior class president, Grerayle Walton said he’s seen kids in difficult situations and McCord help find positive solutions.
“She’s definitely a student’s principal,” he said. “Many students feel comfortable going to talk to her.”
He added she’ll “go out of her way” to help a student in need.
McCord said she wants to provide a safe haven for kids. They can come into her office to chat or just sit while she works if they need a moment.
When it comes down to helping those in need – whether it be getting clothing, food or taking care of those neglected – she said she has community resources to help through partnerships with organizations and businesses.
Some in Anderson “forget what real poverty can do to children,” McCord said, but there are many others, she added, who are generous and give.
Faculty will step in to help buy Christmas gifts, clothes or school supplies, she said. Graduates last year donated their uniforms for those whose parents can’t afford to buy them.
McCord has, in extreme circumstances, allowed students to stay in her home.
“There’s a lot of neglect in Madison County people are not aware of,” Craycraft said.
While it’s a problem that definitely needs to be addressed, she said, the award is also given to those who help kids grow.
Something as small as offsetting field trip costs can make a difference, McCord said.
“Some never get the opportunity, some never get the chance to grow and see other things in the world,” she said.
Some students have never even been out of Anderson, she added.
McCord said the school wants all students to graduate, prepare for college or a career and have fun while doing it.
It’s important to “watch out for everybody,” whether it be a student with a bad home situation or one with the potential for leadership.
“Regardless the circumstance, our job is to help them be successful,” she said.
Dani Palmer
16 October 2012
http://heraldbulletin.com/education/x688427875/Atmosphere-of-caring
