Book: Objective Perspective inside the system
Q1. Please briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Kareen Thompson, I am “Jam- Canadian”. I was born in the beautiful island of Jamaica on Canada day. I believe that it was Devine destiny that I would migrate to Canada, so I can fulfill my life’s purpose and leave a legacy. I am a Master of Social Work (MSW) and is a qualified and registered social worker with ten years of experience working in the Manitoba child welfare system. I am an author, coach, and motivational speaker who helps individuals and families to live a JOY filled life.
Q2. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your book?
The book cover reflects the fact that as social workers we are social scientist, so we took an objective perspective using a social justice lens to examine the child welfare system. This was done to magnify the dis-services faced by SAD affected children as they enter, journey through, and transition out of the child welfare system. We wanted a cover that will grab the attention of potential readers, so we choose dark red and gold.
Q3. Please tell something about SAD Pandemic to readers.
Being social scientists, we used the metaphor of a pandemic to explain the impact Sexual violence Addiction Domestic violence (SAD) has on the lives of children and families. We coined the term as a “SAD pandemic” and define it as a systematic issue that affects the most vulnerable people of our society. The following are some of the impact of the SAD pandemic:
SAD:
• Is the leading cause for children entering care and becoming a “system child”.
• traumatize children in their homes.
• contributes to dysfunctional families.
• contribute to individuals becoming a couch surfer (homeless)
• lead to increased numbers in missing and murdered youths.
• lead to death through homicide, suicide, and overdose.
Q4. What is the typical profile of a system child?
A combination of some or all of these might exist for a typical system child.
• Born to parents who abuse substances.
• Predisposed to a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis.
• Repeatedly traumatized in a home which is infected with the SAD pandemic.
• Use of substances to cope with negative past experiences.
• Mental health and behavioral concerns—self-harming, suicidal ideation, and seeking an escape from CFS life realities.
• Cognitive disabilities due to FASD diagnosis. School attendance and academic performance impacted, resulting in an inability to enter the workforce.
• At high risk for criminal involvement due to inability to control anger and to follow rules and laws.
• inability to live independently at the age of majority. but transitioned out of care anyway based on youth and families demand. May become a couch surfer (homeless), gang leader or member, or may be exposed to sexual exploitation or become involved in the drug or sex trade (source of income).
Q5. Why do you feel this book is important, especially now?
When we thought of using the metaphor of a pandemic to write this, we didn’t know that the world would have actually experience a global COVID 19 pandemic. During this pandemic we see that there was an increase in the number of domestic violence as persons are forced to isolate at home. There was also discussion about leaving liquor stores open as an essential item since people who struggled with addictions might find more deadly and illegal substances if they do not have accessibility to alcohol. There was also worry about whether more children would be exposed to abuse in their homes during isolation as school were closed. It should be noted that school is the only safe space for some children who live in homes that are affected by SAD. What we end up seeing is a pandemic within a pandemic. With the current situation of the COVID 19 pandemic the reader will have a better understanding of the metaphor of the book but more importantly, they will realize the devasting impact that a pandemic has on the lives of children and families, and similarly, the SAD pandemic also has devastating impacts.
Q6. What are you currently most passionate about and why?
I am passionate about social justice issues. I love to advocate for persons who are the least of these in our society. I enjoy serving children and families who are impacted by the SAD pandemic. It is my passion to help them turn their SAD situations into JOY.
Q7. Can you give us a snippet of the journey that led you to write this book?
This journey was a 10-year journey from the moment I entered the child welfare system as a support and youth care worker in 2010, then becoming a manager of a program preparing youths to transition out of the system to becoming a frontline social worker. The book was a Devine inspiration based on the calling upon my life to serve children and families. I felt the burden of writing about the injustices and the dis services they experience. I write and advocate on their behalf because, I felt the pain and a burden seeing their SAD situation. I realized that there was purpose in my pain and by writing this book I would be leaving a legacy that will help to change a child’s world.
Q8. Who did you write this book for, and what do you want them to take away from reading it?
I write this book to help world changers to come on board because when they read this book, they will be given a perspective that will help to influence them into taking action that will positively change the lives of children and families who are affected by SAD.
Q9. How can readers get a copy of your book and what social media platforms can they connect with you?
Readers can get their copy and connect with me by:
• Visiting the website: https://www.thevov.org/
• Purchasing a copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1647460069/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thevov07-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1647460069&linkId=999c515eec5f73d807f58c846f369ba5
• Follow my author page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08BYX55ML
Facebook: Kareen Thompson
Instagram: @kareenthompson2020
Book Is Available On Amazon
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