The volunteer organization of Sisters In Common (S.I.C. Inc.) was developed in response to a void in culturally competent intervention services for adolescent females of color, in the Juvenile Justice System. Initially it evolved as a volunteer group of professionally connected women who worked with young women of color. These young people had numerous critical issues,which were not being addressed in “traditional treatment” social service agencies.
These young women were seen as failures for not being successful in meeting court ordered requirements, such as in-patient treatment for substance abuse. The disproportionate rate of failure to complete treatment and other court ordered requirements (such as: anger management, conflict resolution, life skills and basic individual counseling) exposed a need to review and examine why they were not completing classes successfully. In a non-scientific survey of 100 individuals, and overwhelming number of the young women stated the classes/groups/treatment was not meaningful or helping them.
A special report prepared by the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health, cites the highest rate of interpersonal violence, homicide and poverty exist among youth of color in this area. Females were reported as disproportionately affected by interpersonal violence, in that partner or family members killed 49% of female homicide victims.
Alcohol was associated with 43% of homicide and illicit drugs were found in 21% of the victims through blood test.
Barbara Jean Madison-Butler, January 18, 1948 – April 22, 2003
Founding Member Sisters In Common and
Joann Scott, April 25,1947 – January 15, 2018
Founding Member Sisters In Common
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