Renee,
Hello I wanted write to let you know about the fantastic work Annette Hubbard does for your organization, and for the Youth I’ve had the pleasure of working with under Mrs. Hubbard’s care for the past year.
I was a Counselor for adjudicated youth who had Sexual Offending and/or Behavioral Issues.
In the course of my work there, I had the opportunity to work with Annette Hubbard with two youth from Chester County, PA (their Parole Officer, Bonnie Scarlett, deserves an e-mail of her own – fantastic person!).
Over the course of that year, I learned so much from “Miss Annette” as the boys called her – that’s the thing that makes it difficult to write about – it’s difficult to quantify the special quality “Miss Annette” has of blending her life experience, counseling techniques, conversational style, goal setting and overall CARE for the youth she works with. “Above and Beyond” isn’t something that Annette does when necessary – “Above and Beyond” is just the way she always is.
I’ve experienced her pressing a Youth to admit to his Offenses when he was in denial (successfully), remember each pair of sneakers the boys owned enough to notice a new pair between visits, call The House at 7AM to get a commitment of non-violence from a Youth who was having issues fighting at school, speak to a Youth who had been restrained for the first time and talk to him (he’s 13) about how he can discuss the issue with his parents; Annette may have to refer to her notes occasionally, but honestly, seldom had she need for them; I was consistently impressed by the details, the emotional nuances, the successes and struggles of the boys she remembered down to the letter and could and would discuss with them in a way that spoke of such love and human dignity. By approaching them with such a respect for the work they were doing to better themselves, high expectations for their future work and a firm hand on steering their goals to future successes, Annette Hubbard was and is able to give these boys HOPE.
It was always a joy to meet with her and one of “my” boys, as I knew, well, to be honest, the content of our conversations wasn’t always comfortable or calm, but each and every meeting they walked away knowing at least two things to work on to move themselves forward. To move their lives forward. Miss Annette became a treatment tool herself, as, well, working with a 13 year old in a Group Home is challenging enough, but once he learned that Miss Annette’s meetings could help, well, it became “Will, can we talk to Miss Annette about this?” “Will, I’m confused, and you said you’re confused, will Miss Annette know?” and on for so many things in so many ways, they don’t make words for it.
I’ve also experienced Annette Hubbard’s professional dedication – consistently being available for off-line talks, e-mails, reports, goal-setting and counseling conversations between ourselves about the care of the youth in our charge – from preparing for Court, to handling emotional outbursts, to home studies, preparing for Home Passes, testing the tools and behavioral techniques the boys had learned as she invited me to be a part of their bi-weekly meetings. These meetings served as a way for the boys to touch base with themselves in a non-judgmental, non-excuse-accepting, truthful yet loving space created by Annette Hubbard. To see such care, conviction and professional passion and skill is always a joy and working with Annette was as well.
I do so hope you take the time to thank Annette personally for the high level of care and professional skill she brings so lovingly to motivate and inspire the youth she works with – she most assuredly deserves it!
Thanks so much for your time in reading this, I’m sure none of it comes as a surprise,
Will.
William G. Wilkins
William, thank you for your wonderful note! We appreciate Annette’s dedication, skill, and care she provides for each youth and family that she supports. Annette’s work is a wonderful example of our “Whatever it takes” motto. Thank you Annette!