T. Pat Quinn III
Q: How did you first become involved in F&CS?
I joined the F&CS Board in 2003 and served as President from 2007 through 2009.
Q: What about F&CS’s mission and work inspires you?
What I love and respect about the agency is no one is turned away. Our employees are good at what they do because they know they are making a difference and they truly care about our clients. We touch the lives of many and the Board sees the vision and the needs of the community and quickly agree what should be done and act on it.
Rob Sher
Q: How did you first become involved in F&CS?
A: Right out of law school, while serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa County, I was introduced to a handful of agencies serving our community. The one that stood out above all the rest was Family & Children’s Services. At that time I was involved in prosecuting child neglect cases which involved either reuniting the children with their parents or in the alternative, terminating the parental rights. The ultimate goal, in either path (reunification or termination), was securing a safe and stable environment for the children. Though I worked with many different service providers, the staff at F&CS always demonstrated excellence in advocating for children. These counselors, therapists, and caseworkers exemplified the highest level of professionalism while treating the obstacles that stood in the way of stability for that child. It was evident, in the services F&CS provided, that the treatment was specifically created for each client, to allow for the greatest chance of success of rehabilitation.
Q: What about F&CS’s mission and work inspires you?
Over the past five years, as I have become more intimately familiar with F&CS, I continue to be impressed with everything that the agency is able to accomplish. I very much appreciate the holistic approach to correcting the issues their client’s face. This was most evident when hearing all of the programs and services that are offered to Women in Recovery (WIR). From basic needs of food and housing to GED courses and job training, the agency recognizes that if you do not equip clients with the ability to avoid the obstacles/triggers that led them down the path to criminal behavior, then they are more likely to return to those old ways. However, by relieving the immediate pressure of hunger, substance abuse and homelessness, while simultaneously teaching the client to be self-sufficient, the client has a very real opportunity to change the course of her future.
Lauren Sherry
Q: How did you first become involved in F&CS?
At QuikTrip, I took over as Community Relations Manager from Debi Friggel who introduced me to F&CS and to what a wonderful organization it is. I then had lunch with F&CS CEO Gail Lapidus and was completely sold on joining the Board and the incredible mission at F&CS.
Q: What about F&CS’s mission and work inspires you?
I love that F&CS provides support on so many different levels and in so many different areas for people that don’t get such support from immediate family or friends. I’ve been so lucky in my life to have that support, and I know that for so many people, not having that support is what can cause the downward spirals into addiction, depression, trauma, etc. I love that F&CS/Gail will see a gap in services to residents of Tulsa, and then through the incredible staff will create a program or revise a program to fill that gap. I think so many non-profits stay stagnant on support, and I love how open F&CS and Gail are in the research and new developments in better and more efficient ways to help clients.
