My name is Emalie Rowles, and I’m writing this for my mom, because I knew she’d never do this for herself.
My mom, Carin Ives, works as a Records Specialist at SCI Dallas, and as a part-time cashier at Malacari’s Produce and Deli. She is also a fierce ally for the LGBTQ+ community, having family that identify somewhere within that community.
My mom and dad divorced around 2007, so she’s been a single mom raising two daughters ever since. It was a really messy divorce, and my sister and I told the court that we wanted to stay with her; luckily, they listened. Over the pandemic, she also became a full-time caretaker to my grandmother, her mom, who ended up with long-term COVID. So, she became a caretaker to THREE people, worked two jobs, and put her daughters and herself through school. Even though my grandmother did succumb to her illness in 2022, my mother still managed to get her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and graduate Cum Laude.
Becaue of her experience with the divorce and seeing how the court system works, she decided that she wanted to get involved for children who are in the system and became a court-appointed CASA volunteer, which allows her to represent a foster child in Luzerne County. The girl she represents has made a lot of progress: she was moved from a residential facility to a group home, is attending school again, and has even applied for a job. She’s helped this chid have a voice within the court system regarding her gender identity, and that’s something that Carin is very proud of.
My mom is selfless, independent, and a true benefit to our community. She is an incredible example of perseverance and hard work, and she’s one of the best people Nanticoke has produced over the years. She is SO deserving of recognition, and even though this is going to embarrass her MAJORLY, I hope she’s as proud of herself when she sees this as I am of her.”
Carin Ives, Records Specialist, SCI Dallas
Cashier, Malacari’s Produce and Deli
Child Advocate, CASA of Luzerne County
If you’d like to learn how you can become a child advocate, please visit www.luzernecasa.org!
