Date posted: 11-18-03

Editors: You are encouraged to use this story in your publication. Please credit the author and DeKalb News Service as shown. And, please send two tearsheets to: Jim Killam, Department of Communication, Watson Hall, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.

1,255 words

Role model

By Steffanie Stuckey
DeKalb News Service

DEKALB - Inside a small, Williston Hall office at NIU, there's a shelf filled with books, a desk cluttered with papers and a bulletin board covered with pictures of grandchildren. In that office stands a woman speaking enthusiastically on the phone, fighting for a cause or purpose. She's an aggressive, outgoing, take-charge type of woman but is also consumed by the need to be by herself, to be quiet, peaceful and serene. She has devoted her life to social justice issues and is a lifelong learner.

She's a professional.

She's a nurturer.

She's a mother, a grandmother, a student, an educator, a counselor and a friend.

My name is Regina Curry. I'm 55 years old. I was born and raised on Chicago's South Side. I have borne four strong sons and seven beautiful, even stronger daughters. I am an academic counselor for the CHANCE program at Northern Illinois University, and a case manager at Hope Haven. I considered myself a non-traditional student and I have devoted my life to helping others.

Regina's first childhood dream was to be a secretary. Why? Most children first dream of being doctors and teachers or even nurses. But a secretary?

During that time, black women weren't doing a lot, and I thought secretaries were so cool; the heels stacking, and the pretty clothes. Secretaries were cute, they were smart, and as a kid coming up in a different era, I thought of secretaries as taking shorthand in miniskirts with their legs crossed. That's how I thought secretaries were and to me that was so glamorous.

Though being a secretary was a dream for Regina when she was a kid, her interests quickly changed to social issues. And as an adult, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and that she wanted to write about her experiences as a black woman and be a well- respected teacher of African-American social issues. But having a family, raising 11 children and going through many life's challenges, her dream was never fully developed. And she is content with her life so far and will continue to help others.

I started my professional life in the city of Chicago, working in community-based programs. I'm have been the executive directors for two organizations (Covenant Development and Woodlawn East Community Neighbors), both of which have the same mission statement: " To improve the quality of life for disadvantage individuals." I did most of my work in the Woodlawn community and I started a couple of homeless shelters and did work in co- operative organizations. I also did work in training programs and with the developing of housing.

However, as I became successful in my career, it took me further and further away from the people and I noticed that even in my work, (as involved as it was), what I really was doing, and what I found joy in doing, was education. And so I decided to pursue a master's degree in economic development that was structured for community- based organizations, at NIU. After getting my master's, I then decided to get my doctorate, but I ran out of money, and that's when I applied for a job as an academic counselor.

And even though I really love helping students, I continue to be married to my real passion, which is popular education. This semester, I'm teaching four classes: IDSP 211, and three sections of University 101. I'm never exhausted when I'm in a classroom.

Students swarm like bees, buzzing in and out of the CHANCE office. It's about that time. It's halfway through the semester and registration for spring is coming soon. In the lobby, they wait. Some chill out on plush couches, others sit in chairs near their counselors' doors. Many of them have appointments with their counselors and Regina's appointment book is full. Waiting patiently for their turn, one by one students pop into her small office.

Having one-on-one conversations with her first-year students and spitting out her knowledge and her philosophy of life, Regina helps her students achieve their goals. NIU's CHANCE program admits students who fall short of the university's regular admissions requirements, but who still show strong potential for success in college.

Regina's role varies, as there are times that she may help her students with personal problems that might interfere with their academics. She is an inspiration and a role model for her students.

I located the Hope Haven Shelter and found that they had space for me, so I started off developing their after-care program and since then, I never left. I'm either there for three days, two days, one day or whenever I can be useful. And again, I'm doing popular education. I don't see myself as a case manager, I see myself as someone who can help people break their lives up, into little pieces, until it is manageable and with that, develop a successful plan. I find a lot of delight in helping people.

A long, gray, house-like building sits in the middle of a DeKalb residential area. In front of it stands a sign that says, " Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmore Drive." It's DeKalb's homeless shelter, but it's much more. In the lobby are comfortable couches and chairs and a large bookshelf. Nearby is a sign-in desk, where residents and non-residents go to make appointments to see their case managers and sign up for classes. A part of the transitional side of the building is a small indoor play area for children, equipped with most of the modern toys and a computer.

During the day, Regina is a teacher and an academic counselor, but at night she is a social counselor and a friend.

Her night begins with busily answering phones; writing down messages and helping clients develop a new plan and a new beginning for their lives.

Hope Haven is divided in two sides: the transitional side and the emergency side. The transitional side houses women and children. The emergency side houses adults. The whole focus of Hope Haven is to advocate for the homeless population in DeKalb County. Hope Haven views homelessness as an economic state - not one of mental illness or character. Most people are two or three paychecks away from being homeless.

With my clients, I am never frightened. We aren't dealing with criminals or those human beings that one should shun and fear. These people primarily are experiencing some economical hardships and some of the barriers that are associated with poverty.

At Hope Haven, one experience that has touched Regina's heart and soul is that of a woman with whom she had been working. The woman's case was not of domestic violence, but of a misunderstanding that was cleared up later. The state had order her husband to stay away from her, and during that time period, she was pregnant with twins. So she asked Regina to be her birth coach.

That was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. And I was fortunate to be able to cut the umbilical cord and put the clothing on them. She name them Gina and Jada, which was special to me because my name is Regina.

Everywhere she goes, Regina Curry will always strive to help others and give people her 100-percent best. "She is very involved with the community and believes that when you live in a community, then you should give back to that community," says Angie Stuckey, a doctoral student and friend.

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