Meet Christine Allen, Program Manager for the Court Referral Community Service Program (CRCSP) at United Way of the Midlands (UnitedWayMidlands.org).

Tell us a little about your business. – I assign and monitor community service hours for people who have been court ordered to complete them in Douglas County. This includes people on probation, people who have been referred by their attorney and those who have been approved for the Offender Work Program. The Offender Work Program allows people to do community service hours to “work off” the cost of a fine.

How did you get started in the business? – My background, experience and education are all in the criminal justice and counseling areas. I am a former probation officer, former victim advocate for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, and immediately prior to this position – I worked at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services at the Omaha Correctional Center. I am also a part-time mental health therapist.

When I saw this position, it was an opportunity to use my cumulative experience, training and education.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Removing society’s stigma of the population I work with.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working full time and raising two children.

Tell us a little about your family. – I am married in a blended family. Christopher, Kaitlin and Easton are my adult children. Jessica (Nate) and Jeremy are my adult stepchildren. I married into grandkids and we have a total of six grandchildren, (four boys and two girls) and one great grandchild (girl).

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Going back to school, for my bachelor’s degree at age 40.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spending time with family and friends and/or watching the grandkids’ sports activities.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I received the John Philip Sousa and National School Choral awards, a music scholarship and performed in a traveling chorale group.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – United Way of the Midlands – I enjoy volunteering with my husband for UWM’s activities in the community.

The Collective for Hope – When my oldest child passed away, we didn’t have these types of services available in our rural community. After we moved and became aware of them, I trained with them as a grief facilitator. This has helped me help others deal with their grief and enabled me to heal, as well.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – John Maxwell.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 522-7932 | callen@uwmidlands.org | UnitedWayMidlands.org/crcsp