Hoyleton CAREs About Our Clients and Team

By Stephanie Seaton, Director of Project Implementation

In 2017, we began implementing the CARE model, a comprehensive practice model that guides everything we do at Hoyleton. We are one of only 50 agencies nationally, and the only one serving youth in southern Illinois, that follows this model. It guides how we interact with the people we serve in the community and also our own goals and values and how we treat each other internally. It shapes every facet of our organization’s culture.

What is the CARE model?

The CARE model was developed at Cornell University and is rooted in six core principles:
Developmentally focused
Family involved
Relationship based
Competence centered
Trauma informed
Ecologically oriented

Why CARE works

These principles have been applied agency-wide since the CARE model’s adoption, particularly when interacting with our youth, many of whom have a history of trauma, CARE has shifted how we think about disruptive youth by changing the conversation from “What is wrong with them?” to “What has happened to them?” It shifts from the behavior to the story behind the behavior, which allows for more focused conversation instead of reactionary measures. It can be easy to take certain behaviors personally, but recognizing that it’s coming from a place of trauma response not only makes conversations possible but humanizes clients in meaningful ways.

CARE has also given our organization a common language to speak with clients and each other. Our staff has a wide range of education levels in terms of social work, psychology, therapy and other backgrounds. What may seem like common language to one of those groups may be new to another because of its clinical nature. CARE helps keep conversations consistent and understandable for all people involved because it gives us a shared vocabulary rooted in understanding and trauma care.

CARE at Hoyleton

What’s amazing about the CARE model is that it spills into the overall work/life relationship of our team as well. Thinking in terms of events that inﬂuence behavior instead of behavior itself helps team members have more grace with one another. It helps us remember small gestures go a long way to show care and encourages us to think about what little things we can do for one another. People forget how embedded the CARE model is in our culture because of how second nature its principles come to us.

This is what a good practice model does: it embeds itself. It becomes so much a part of the culture that CARE becomes the norm. CARE and its principles are so powerful because it strengthens the possibility for empathy. This is what Hoyleton is all about when it comes to our interactions with clients and each other.

Learn more about our approach to CARE by visiting our approach page.

We Believe in the Power and Contributions of Immigrants

The importance of fostering diverse, caring communities.

Since the creation of Puentes de Esperanza 17 years ago, Hoyleton has demonstrated a commitment to and belief in immigrants and refugees entering our communities. And now more than ever, as America gears up to accept a portion of the half a million refugees estimated to flee Afghanistan by the end of the year, we are steadfast in our belief that all people are deserving of a caring community to call home. Despite some narratives that might suggest otherwise, these are our neighbors, coworkers and friends, and their involvement in our communities is nothing if not an asset and a blessing.

As a faith-based organization, we are committed to welcoming all our neighbors, no matter who they are or where they come from. And we know that when there is increased diversity in our communities, it only strengthens them. When immigrants feel empowered to contribute, everybody benefits from the new possibilities for dialogue, creativity and expressions of care.

We see the positive impact they make in our everyday lives through their investment in our communities. They’re our neighbors volunteering alongside us, hosting BBQs, attending religious services, watching our kids play alongside theirs. And that’s not even taking into account the $2 trillion annual contribution they make to our economy. Every day, individuals who have fled their circumstances, fighting for their lives, aiming to provide a better life for their children -- they’re the ones who are making a great, positive impact on our lives. They’re driving innovation, conducting critical research and saving lives. They are the thread that makes our neighborhoods, our communities, our cities and our nation better and stronger.

But even with all this greatness, we know they experience barriers every day. This is why it’s so important that immigrants and refugees in our communities know they belong, that they are welcomed with open arms. Without feeling integrated, they won’t feel safe enough to contribute their amazing talents. How we talk about the immigrants, how we engage with them, how we identify them, it matters, and it’s important. That’s why we’re focused on providing our immigrant and refugee neighbors with safe spaces where they know they belong, where they’re empowered to take part and where they can be their unique and authentic selves.

We are committed not only to helping immigrant families directly, but also to reversing stigmas and making sure we help change the language and narrative around their involvement in our communities. They belong. They are actively making a difference and changing lives. They are valued, loved and just as much a part of this country as anybody else.

As we welcome Afghan refugees into our country, we will be here advocating for their inclusion and full integration into our neighborhoods with open arms. It’s what we’ve been doing for immigrants for years and will continue to for years to come. Join us.

To learn more about how we help Spanish-speaking immigrants, visit our Puentes de Esperanza page.