The Power of One
A powerful woman lives into her vision every day. Her steadfast focus on her dream, in the face of a different reality, and her perseverance in making it happen with and through others are keys to her success.
Mary Whittier is the Founding Executive Director of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. She spends her life easing the trauma and suffering of childhood abuse for its young victims and their families. Today, at Bivona, abused children receive all the services they need to heal in one place. This Child Advocacy Center houses child protective services, medical and mental health services, social workers, police, and prosecutors. Essentially, the services come to the child, making the experience less traumatic and more comforting.
Mary's focus has always been on the kids and on making their lives better. Twelve years ago, Mary, a social worker by education, joined Strong's REACH program, Rochester's medical community response to the issue of sexual abuse. One month into the job, she found herself asking, "Why doesn't Rochester have a child advocacy center where we have all services in one place? We need this."
She remembers this as a pivotal question in her life, and putting her on the path of her calling.
In the REACH role she pursued her passion for creating a center in Rochester. Mary managed to secure a state grant for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC/NY) to establish one. In November 2001, NCMEC/NY agreed to create a center, but only if Mary would lead it. This was not her intention when securing the grant; yet in pursuit of her vision, Mary surrendered to her purpose and said, "Yes, I will"; key words of commitment and intent. One year later, national NCMEC headquarters decided that the program was outside of its scope of services. Effectively they said, "Mary, you have a decision. Will you take this center and make it a stand-alone not-for-profit organization?"
Now this is the moment. Will Mary stretch again, this time with a 4-month-old daughter, and go further into unknown territory?
Mary again answered the call. Her internal conversation was full of doubt and confusion, yet also resonated with her convictions. "I am a social worker. I have no experience in any of this. I don't know business, fundraising, marketing or administration. I feel scared, confused, and conflicted. And I've never stepped away from a challenge in my life. Rochester needs this. I can't renege now."
Mary received another critical call and answer in 2002. She rose beyond herself, in service to her purpose and to the children of Rochester. "Life is more than ourselves; it is much bigger," she shares.
Bivona now serves over 1000 children and families annually and is lauded throughout the state for its vision, partner relationships and results.
Mary looks back and says, "This is my calling. I believe things happen for a reason, and this was meant to be. I am so much better for it, even though it was one of the hardest things I have ever done."
Beyond her passion is her humility. Mary repeatedly stresses that this has always been a team approach. "While kids are central, it is the people I have the pleasure of working with everyday that keeps me going. It is constantly humbling to see the commitments of people for the kids."
Sue VanStrydonck, program manager at Bivona, has worked with Mary for 22 years. "Mary's greatest strength is her ability to develop, nurture and retain relationships and her belief that from these relationships great things happen." She acts like the vision is a given. People, over time, get swept into her vision by her passion and perseverance. Mary understands the pacing of collaborative problem solving has the wisdom and patience to allow this process to unfold, and brings people around to embracing her passion, vision and viewpoint", adds Sue.
Mary has one final thought, "If you have a passion about something, you must go for it. At Bivona, we're a part of something bigger and we see the difference we're making every day. I hope every woman can say the same of her passion and path".
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
Friday, February 19th, 2010 | Rochester Woman Magazine
by Barbara OstermanA powerful woman lives into her vision every day. Her steadfast focus on her dream, in the face of a different reality, and her perseverance in making it happen with and through others are keys to her success.
Mary Whittier is the Founding Executive Director of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. She spends her life easing the trauma and suffering of childhood abuse for its young victims and their families. Today, at Bivona, abused children receive all the services they need to heal in one place. This Child Advocacy Center houses child protective services, medical and mental health services, social workers, police, and prosecutors. Essentially, the services come to the child, making the experience less traumatic and more comforting.
Mary's focus has always been on the kids and on making their lives better. Twelve years ago, Mary, a social worker by education, joined Strong's REACH program, Rochester's medical community response to the issue of sexual abuse. One month into the job, she found herself asking, "Why doesn't Rochester have a child advocacy center where we have all services in one place? We need this."
She remembers this as a pivotal question in her life, and putting her on the path of her calling.
In the REACH role she pursued her passion for creating a center in Rochester. Mary managed to secure a state grant for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC/NY) to establish one. In November 2001, NCMEC/NY agreed to create a center, but only if Mary would lead it. This was not her intention when securing the grant; yet in pursuit of her vision, Mary surrendered to her purpose and said, "Yes, I will"; key words of commitment and intent. One year later, national NCMEC headquarters decided that the program was outside of its scope of services. Effectively they said, "Mary, you have a decision. Will you take this center and make it a stand-alone not-for-profit organization?"
Now this is the moment. Will Mary stretch again, this time with a 4-month-old daughter, and go further into unknown territory?
Mary again answered the call. Her internal conversation was full of doubt and confusion, yet also resonated with her convictions. "I am a social worker. I have no experience in any of this. I don't know business, fundraising, marketing or administration. I feel scared, confused, and conflicted. And I've never stepped away from a challenge in my life. Rochester needs this. I can't renege now."
Mary received another critical call and answer in 2002. She rose beyond herself, in service to her purpose and to the children of Rochester. "Life is more than ourselves; it is much bigger," she shares.
Bivona now serves over 1000 children and families annually and is lauded throughout the state for its vision, partner relationships and results.
Mary looks back and says, "This is my calling. I believe things happen for a reason, and this was meant to be. I am so much better for it, even though it was one of the hardest things I have ever done."
Beyond her passion is her humility. Mary repeatedly stresses that this has always been a team approach. "While kids are central, it is the people I have the pleasure of working with everyday that keeps me going. It is constantly humbling to see the commitments of people for the kids."
Sue VanStrydonck, program manager at Bivona, has worked with Mary for 22 years. "Mary's greatest strength is her ability to develop, nurture and retain relationships and her belief that from these relationships great things happen." She acts like the vision is a given. People, over time, get swept into her vision by her passion and perseverance. Mary understands the pacing of collaborative problem solving has the wisdom and patience to allow this process to unfold, and brings people around to embracing her passion, vision and viewpoint", adds Sue.
Mary has one final thought, "If you have a passion about something, you must go for it. At Bivona, we're a part of something bigger and we see the difference we're making every day. I hope every woman can say the same of her passion and path".
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
©2010, Rochester Woman Magazine, LLC. All Rights Reserved