Forming a unique partnership, Owensboro Museum of Science & History (OMSH) will collaborate with the Family Court to help children that are waiting for their court cases to be called.
This new partnership means Owensboro Museum of Science and History, which is located next door to the judicial building where Family Court is held, will donate unlimited reusable passes to be lent to children and caregivers who are waiting for their cases to be called. A card check-out system will allow kids to go next door to play and learn at the Museum and when their case is “on deck,” Family Court will call or text the caregiver to return to court.
“I think this is a wonderful way for the Museum to contribute to our community and hopefully make a difference in these children’s lives,” said Debbie Stites, Director of Publicity and Patron Development at OMSH.
In a Facebook post earlier this month, Family Court Judge Julie Hawes Gordon promoted the partnership, explaining that this will ultimately benefit the children involved in cases before her court.
“I have heard from kids on many foster youth panels: ‘This is our life! We want to know what is going on. We want to have a say in our lives.’ Best practices and the policies of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges tell us the importance of kids having a presence and voice in Family Court. We also know that it means something for everyone in the court process to put a face with a name: to be reminded that we are talking about a child – a human being, not just a number on a file! That being said, it can be tough on kids and caregivers to wait for their case to be called. Because we are dealing with many complicated cases and many unknowns every day, sometimes it is impossible to predict how long each case will take. We try very hard be efficient, but we are also committed to giving the last case of the day the same time and thoughtfulness as the first case. Unfortunately, sometimes that means a wait that is hard on everyone, especially the kids.”
