“Why the Children’s Law Center?”
New Board Chair, Kathy Poehling, and new Board members share their answers to the question, “Why the Children’s Law Center?”
Kathy Poehling, Chair: The past two years have taught me many lessons. One is to take time to reflect and focus on what is most important. My answer to “Why the Children’s Law Center?” is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a South African word that literally means “I am because you are”. Ubuntu describes the beautiful interconnectedness of all of humanity and the need to enable ALL to grow and progress for each of us and our community to grow and progress.
The Children’s Law Center provides a voice to vulnerable children who need support and somebody to focus on their best interest. Children are our future, and every child deserves a great start. My Kindergarten classmate fell through the cracks and did not get that chance. That’s how I, a pediatrician, became passionate about the Children’s Law Center. We hope that you will join us and make a big difference for children in need.
Dawnielle Grace, Vice Chair: Though no one can boast a “perfect” life, many of us are extraordinarily blessed not to be going through life-changing, trauma inducing court battles, that involve families breaking up and potential abuse.
We therefore have a choice.
We can sit back and do nothing more than bask in the sunlight of our good fortune, or we can spread light into the shadows, warming those, who without our help, might never feel the rays of the sun. The Children’s Law Center is, in my humble opinion, one such harbinger of light. The CLC provides warmth and hope, to hundreds of children who might otherwise only know darkness, during one of the most pivotal and traumatic times of their lives.
When I was a law student at Wake Forest, I took the Child Advocacy Clinic, taught by the CLC Executive Director, Iris Sunshine. The Clinic involved working directly with the CLC and exposed me to the critical need for child advocacy in the legal system that exists right here on our doorsteps. Once I graduated, I continued to work with Iris, volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem. And now, I proudly serve as Vice Chair of this inspirational and formative Board, where I whole-heartedly support its mission to: provide children with quality legal advocacy focusing on domestic violence issues, high-conflict custody cases, and the rights of children in public education.
My “why” concerning the CLC of Central North Carolina, is based on a question I encourage us all to ask ourselves anew each day, and a very well-known quote attributed to Edmund Burke.
“Today, IF I can…but I don’t…then who will?” ~DYG
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing.”
Clara Ignich: I was drawn to serve on the CLC Board because of my past experience as an immigration attorney assisting victims of violence, abuse, and torture to seek safety and asylum in the United States. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my skills and experience to support the CLC as it strives to protect and advocate for similarly situated children in our local communities.
The CLC’s mission is aligned with my personal beliefs that it is the most vulnerable among us that are most deserving of our assistance, and I consider it a great privilege to serve on the board with like-minded folks.
Katie Rauck: When Dawn Nelson asked if I would be interested in working with the Children's Law Center, one of my first thoughts was the desire to help protect the young children in our society that don't have safe boundaries in their homes.
There are so many situations that we never had to experience when raising our own children and assume that it is a rare occurrence. Whether it is lack of parental supervision or a home life that is not ideal, these children benefit from outside help and direction. If I can be part of the Children's Law Center in helping these children, it will be time well spent.
