When Carrie H. Avery got the phone call that she was one of the recipients of the 2014 John J. Crane Allied Professional Award, the 38-year-old Downingtown resident said she was sitting in her office at the Chester County Youth Center and experienced a brief moment of shock before repeating: “Are you kidding?”
On the other end of the line was Peggy Gusz, executive director of the Crime Victims Center (CVC) of Chester County, and she was quite serious. Gusz said later that Avery’s reaction - which included stunned silence, disbelief and then tears - delighted her. “The award obviously meant a lot to her, and that was good to hear,” Gusz said.
CVC established the award in 1998 as a memorial tribute to Crane, a nationally recognized advocate for crime victims - especially children. Avery received the award Thursday, Dec. 4, along with Chester County Youth Center Director Gary Blair and Deputy Director Carol Hood.
Jose Reyes, who heads the CVC’s board, explained that the annual award honors individuals or groups who are not directly involved in victim services (allied professionals) and who exemplify the extraordinary commitment to victims that Crane exhibited for nearly three decades. A longtime chief deputy district attorney, Crane joined the CVC’s board of directors when he retired.
In 1996, the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA) chose Crane for its Allied Professional Award, adding national recognition to his local commendations. “Although he died in 1998, his spirit continues to motivate those who follow in his footsteps,” Reyes said.
Although Hood was unable to attend the ceremony, Blair said he was certain she would share his sentiments that the award belonged to the whole staff. “We’re very grateful to have a dedicated staff that cares about the kids we serve,” said Blair. “We’re very, very fortunate. This is an honor for the Youth Center.”
Avery, who has worked at the Youth Center in Pocopson Township for nine years, said she was honored and humbled by the recognition. “I love who I serve,” she said. “That’s where I want to be.” She also praised the staff, especially Blair, for supporting her.
After the ceremony, Avery, who began as a line officer at the center and now serves as its program coordinator, explained that Blair’s support has enabled her to start some fairly unconventional programs at the center, which serves up to 60 youth at a time in shelter or detention facilities. Some have been adjudicated or alleged delinquent while others simply need a place to stay.
The idea of yoga classes raised a few eyebrows initially, but now it has become a popular addition, Avery said. Another program that took root resulted in eight raised beds that produced 1,300 pounds of produce for area food cupboards this past summer. “The kids and staff did all the work,” she said, adding that some were amazed by how great the fresh vegetables tasted.
Avery said keeping the at-risk residents busy and teaching them the importance of giving back has generated positive feedback. She said the boys and girls have planted trees at the Pocopson Home, stuffed teddy bears that inmates from Chester County Prison would give to their own children for Christmas, and contributed to a quilt and four murals – a fifth mural is nearing completion – that decorate the center.
“All the kids have been a victim of something,” she said. “We try and give them something fun that they can feel good about.”
Advocating for victims was second nature to Avery before she joined the Youth Center, said Gusz. Avery honed those skills for seven years at CVC, where she worked first as a victim advocate and later as the agency’s Juvenile Court Victim/Witness Advocate.
Gusz said that because Avery truly enjoys working with young people, she’s able to connect with them in ways that are therapeutic. She is also quick to identify victimization issues and contact CVC for supportive services.
“Her concern doesn’t end there,” Gusz said. “She always follows up with CVC staff for updates on the young victims she has asked our agency to help.”
Avery, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Delaware, recently received a master’s degree in administration of justice from Shippensburg University, an accomplishment she credits to her husband, Rob. Avery said the program required her to be away every third weekend for two years. “I couldn’t have done it if he hadn’t stepped in and taken care of our two kids,” she said.
The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. is a private, community-based, nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of supportive services to victims of crime and their families in Chester County, such as hotline response; counseling and advocacy; and accompaniment to medical, police, and legal procedures.
For more information about CVC and its work in Chester County, call 610-692-1926 during regular business hours, or visit www.cvcofcc.org. CVC’s two 24-hour crisis hotlines are available to victims of all types of crime. They are: 610-692-7273 (sexual assault) and 610-692-7420 (other crimes).
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