In Pueblo July/August 2015 by Joseph Brewster

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For advertise information call (719) 671-6030

For local coupons & event information visit www.inpueblo.com

For advertise information call (719) 671-6030

For local coupons & event information visit www.inpueblo.com

Lauren’s Story by Amy Gasperetti

“She gave me a choice long ago: choose up or down. I chose up. But what happens to the children who don’t realize they have a choice?” Lauren Mueller serves as the State Coordinator for Colorado CASA - an organization responsible for outreach, support and program coordination for the CASA programs in Colorado. On April 21, 2015, Lauren spoke at CASA of Pueblo’s annual Light of Hope lunch, where she shared her own personal story of triumph with over 300 CASA supporters. “CASA serves children who have experienced the worst of what life has to offer: abuse, neglect, and trauma. Early in their lives, they are subjected to circumstances some of us cannot even imagine. But CASAs serve to provide stability in the lives of children where there was none, to help the child understand that they are not bad or wrong, but instead that they are deserving of love CASAs give children the eyes through which to see their own potential.” Lauren has a unique perspective working for CASA, because she had a CASA Volunteer assigned to her case when she entered the foster care system as a child, “I care about what they do because I was once one of those children – completely helpless, utterly alone, and entirely afraid that nothing would ever change.” Lauren went on to share very personal experiences of abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother after her parents divorced. She recalled the violence, and the trauma from the emotional abuse and physical abuse that she suffered all while trying to protect her younger sister. She became the scapegoat for a childhood filled with rage and anger, domestic violence and substance abuse. “My memories of that time in my childhood are punctuated by being locked in closets, being chased around with a knife, and late-night escapes. I protected my sister from my step-father while my mother cowered, and she dealt with our situation by drinking.” In an effort to get away from the domestic violence, Lauren’s mother moved them to Colorado, but the abuse didn’t stop and things continued to get worse. At age nine, Lauren was placed into foster care and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) was assigned to her case. Her CASA Volunteer became a source of stability as Lauren journeyed through the foster care system. “Although I arrived in care fearful and alone, my CASA encouraged my desire to do community service and praised my excellent grades. She was my consistent, steadfast advocate. When I was with her, I felt safe for the first time in my life. She was consistent and supportive, telling anyone who would listen that I was smart, capable, and pretty – and I started to believe it myself. She gave me a journal to write down my thoughts and helped me feel normal – her small gifts, and her time, made me feel like a real person.” Lauren shared that she had never before had a person in my life that cared for her so deeply. 12

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Before her CASA, everyone who said they loved her left, hurt her, or betrayed her by allowing the abuse to continue. Lauren said, “I learned, through her, that love is not just a phrase, but an action. She worked with my foster parents to make sure that my relationship with them was stable. She helped me work through my complex feelings about my biological mom, not through therapy or deep questions, but instead just through pre-teen girl talk. She read between the lines – she recognized my great performance in school, that I made friends easily, and that I wanted to help others.” Lauren journeyed in and out of the foster care system for several more years before ultimately being placed with her best friend’s parents. She earned a full scholarship to college and in May 2013, she graduated from Denison University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication – something that less than 2% of former foster youth actually achieve. Upon moving back to Denver after graduation, she began her professional career and reconnected with her previous CASA Volunteer. Last October, Lauren accepted a position with Colorado CASA as the State Coordinator. “I now assist the 16 incredible programs we have in the state to do the amazing work they do every day. In some small way, I am able to help others like me. I want to emphasize, too, the importance of true permanency – just last week, I asked my best friend’s parents to adopt me – and they said yes. At the age of 27, I still want and need a loving family, and now I have it.” “The impact that CASA made was lasting and truly life-changing – not just for me, but for my sister as well. I look back on my first time in foster care and the most important memory is that I was loved and cared for by my CASA. She gave me a choice long ago: choose up or down. I chose up. But what happens to the children who don’t realize they have a choice? My life, and the life of my sister, would not be this way if it weren’t for the loving and supportive adults in our lives. This is who a CASA is: to be the strength for a child until they have their own, to share laughter and joy with a child for whom it is unfamiliar, and to support the dreams of a child who never thought they could achieve their goals.” If you would like more information about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, visit CASA of Pueblo’s website at www.CASAofPueblo.org

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EVENTS Pueblo’s original Farmers’ Market has moved! Please find us at the El Pueblo History Museum. The market is open every Tuesday and Friday until the first frost. Market hours are 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Multiple arts and crafts vendors also participate in the market, and we’re expecting entertainment this year, too! Kaiser Permanente Presents Farmers Market at the Riverwalk! On the Riverwalk every Thursday 4pm-7pm for fresh produce from your favorite local farmers! Be sure to come every week for different produce as the year goes on! The Riverwalk Excursion boat will be running a weekly special of $2 boat rides during every Farmers Market. This is a great time to come support the local farmers and ride the boats!

Cruisin Pueblo Ride Cruisin’ Pueblo: Thursdays 6:30 pm, casual bike rides from Bingo Burger! PAR and Pueblo Real Estate YPN present: A night of Monkeying Around to raise funds for the Monkeys! Aug 6 2015 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Pueblo Zoo Please join the Pueblo Association of Realtors and Pueblo Real Estate YPN for a night of fun for the entire family! Face Painting, Bean Bag Toss, Balloon Animals, Gunny Sack Races and more! Festival Fridays: That 80’s Band Aug 7 2015 - 6:30pm Festival Fridays at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center! Gates open at 6:30 pm/ Bands Play 7:30-10:30 For more Events InPueblo, go to pm. Admission $6 advance and $8 inpueblo.com at the gate.

Damon Runyon Presents: The Happy Hour Cruises Addam’s Family Pueblo Riverwalk 611 N Main Street Happy Hour Cruises start the first Tickets: $11-$19 Friday in May and run EVERY Performances: AUGUST 15, 21, Friday and Saturday until the end 22 – 7:30pm AUGUST 16, 23 – of August from 5 pm - 10 pm. Live 2:00pm entertainment will be featured weekly. Movie Night on the Riverwalk: Little Giants Downtown Social Shuffle: Aug 15 2015 - 8:30pm EVERY Wednesday...5 km run Enjoy a great family movie night and 2 mile walks from Shamrock. at the Riverwalk for FREE!! 108 w 3rd Street Featuring Little Giants!

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