USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C o m mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia-S a n t a Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 19, No. 31
Visit The Summation Weekly Online: www.summationweekly.com
July 31, 2019
1 Section, 8 Pages
Breaking the Cycle
2019 Liberty Bell Award Recipient Connie Bookman by Shekka Drayton
Cynicism is a trait that often serves lawyers well. It’s the age-old belief that if something can go wrong, it will. However, in Connie Bookman’s line of work, hope fuels her vision for a better community, one free of substance abuse and poverty. Liberty Bell recipient and founder of Pathways for Change Connie Bookman speaks on her journey to breaking the cycle. Bookman is no stranger to service. She has dedicated her career to being an advocate for the most vulnerable members of the community. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Social Work from St. Leo University and a Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University, Bookman worked for 15 years as a medical social worker for Baptist Health Care, serving terminally ill clients. In 1992, Bookman developed the only residential treatment program in the Pensacola area for single homeless women. She went on to become Executive Director of The Christian Counseling Center in 1999 where she began a partnership with Florida State University, Troy University and University of West Florida’s Social Work and Psychology Departments. These experiences culminated in Bookman founding Pathways for Change (PFC), a faith-based addictions treatment program, in 2005. PFC provides mental health counseling, case management, and vocational and educational training that assures 100% employment upon graduation. The effectiveness of the program is recognized by the courts; Pathways for Change is a viable sentencing program in Escambia. This 18-month court or-
dered “therapeutic community” costs $15,000 per year, vs. $26,000 a year for a regular jail sentence, saving taxpayers over $1 million each year with its 70% success rate. Beyond her heart for service, Bookman’s community impact can be attributed to her ability to organize and facilitate collaboration. Bookman recruited 12 nonprofit executive directors who committed to meeting monthly for one year to strategize a plan that would be most impactful for PFC clients. PFC
Alan and Connie Bookman
has more than 30 community partners who share in the success of this cost-effective reentry program. Reflecting on the importance of community partners, Bookman states, “Our relationship with community partners is vital. PFC cannot be an expert in all area of services.” PFC relies on the supplemental support of organizations like George Stone Vocational School, Community Drug and Alcohol Commission, Escambia Coun-
ty Health Department, the United Way, Community Action Program Commission, the Studer Community Institute, Opening Doors Homeless Coalition, and Area Housing Commission. Bookman also recognizes the importance of support from the local bar stating, “The Escambia Santa Rosa Bar Association has supported PFC over the years, sharing information about our services to pro-bono legal service agencies such as Emerald Coast Legal Aid and Legal Services of North Florida and having promoted our fundraising and awareness events in their newsletters and publications.” Bookman’s service has not gone unnoticed. In addition to being honored as the 2019 Liberty Bell recipient, Connie has also received the FSU School of Social Work Field Educator of the Year, the Quint Studer Servant Leaders Award, the Freedoms Foundation George Washington Honor Medal, and the 1st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Award of Service, to name a few. Bookman has earned the respect and admiration of local members of the bar. Eric Stevenson of Stevenson Klotz states, “I had been skeptical of some of the alternative sentencing programs, but my clients who went [to PFC] were changed people. My client is a manager of a successful business and has not picked up a drink or used in 10 years. If not for Connie and her tireless efforts to change people’s lives, people like him and others might not have had the chance to turn their lives into success stories.” If you are plagued with the misconception that one person cannot make
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a difference, take heed to Bookman’s words. “The single greatest motivator for our clients are the mentors in their lives. Because of their history of neglect and their low self-image, they are amazed that someone might take the time out of their contented and busy lives to reach out and spend valuable time with them. At Pathways For Change, we have nearly 20 volunteer opportunities. Our women veterans need you. Our GED students at The Family Center need you, our men who have been caught in the cycle of addiction and incarceration need you!” By supporting community-based organizations like Pathways for Change, we can make Bookman’s vision of breaking the cycle a reality. The purpose of the Liberty Bell Award program is to recognize community service that has strengthened the American system of freedom under law and to accord public recognition to men and women, particularly non-lawyers, for outstanding service in one of these areas: 1. Promoting a better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights; 2. Encouraging greater respect of law and the courts; 3. Stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights; 4. Contributing to the effective functioning of our institutions of government; and 5. Fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the rule of law.
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