Carole Joa
As a young adult just out of college, Carole accepted a position as director of daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and afterschool care. Learning very quickly about abuse of children led her to volunteer with Children and Family Services and Youth Accountability Board. After moving to McMinnville, OR in 2000, she served as supervisor of the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Yamhill County (CASA), for 10 years, and after a short break, Citizens Review Board became the focus of her volunteer work. Having volunteered for Juliette’s House, Yamhill County’s Child Abuse Intervention Center, for 20 years, she accepted a job as Coordinator of Stewards of Children®, 6 months before the pandemic hit.
Despite the challenges, 3 years later they are finally seeing the ripple work, and it is very exciting! Churches, businesses, and community members are talking more openly about child sexual abuse and referring friends, family, and business associates for Stewards of Children®. Carole says that “persistence is vital when building relationships with community members, as it may take 1-3 years for them to finally schedule a training. When they do, they wish they would have taken it sooner.” There is still so much more work to do, but everyday Carole and her team are seeing the benefits of their efforts in the community.
