She’s on the case

Judge Josephine Finn has a passion for making a difference

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Judge Josephine Finn likes a challenge. So, a couple of years ago when she decided to learn to play the saxophone, she chose a soprano sax because she had been told that was the hardest sax to master. She figured if she could play that hardest one, she would be able to play all the other types as well.

At an interview over lunch in Monticello, Finn made it clear that when she sets her mind to something, results will be forthcoming.

Being a judge in the Village of Monticello since 2002, and an acting judge in the ‘90s, Finn has a lot of experience with kids who might be heading for trouble. In 2007, she decided she was going to help give at-risk kids a shot at going in a better direction. The program she created is called DREAM Tank. DREAM stands for Dynamic Realization through Enrichment, Actualization and Motivation.

Kids come to the program because they can be involved in the music or art sessions that are offered; that’s what gets them in the door. But they must also take sessions in etiquette and actualization. The actualization segment may include Finn talking about motivation, or firefighters teaching cardio pulmonary resuscitation, or a visit from someone from the Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County.

The county lawmakers were impressed enough with her program to grant it $60,000 last year, and just two weeks ago, granted the same amount again for 2009.

Finn stressed that the program is countywide, not just in Monticello, and she has students as far away as Callicoon. Asked if she could measure the effectiveness of the program, she said there are pre-program and post program tests, and she’s working on more measurements. But, she said, “One of the best measurements I have is when teacher stops me and says, ‘Oh my God, what a difference in Johnny.’”

As an African American, Finn is concerned that minority kids have an opportunity to learn about black history. Asked if Barack Obama would be good influence for black kids, she said, “Sure, there’s not doubt about it, he’s a good role model. But what I don’t want people to think is that because Barack Obama is President that the racial problems are resolved. I was on the Internet the other day… and some people were arguing, now that Barack Obama is President, you don’t need Black History Month. But Black History Month doesn’t have to do with having a black President, it has to do with the history of African Americans in this country having been left out of the history books. And until I can have a child pick up a history book and really see everybody fairly represented in that book, then you need Black History Month; you need something to tell people the truth.”

Finn, who was born in Monticello and who taught at Sullivan County Community College for 13 years, recently accepted a new position as a support specialist at Monticello Central School District.

Asked what had helped motivate her to put herself through law school, and attain the success she has achieved in life, she said it was her mother and father.

“Two things that were absolutely understood in my household: you were going to church, that came from my mother who was a minister; and you were going to school, that came from my father. There was never any question that I would go to college; that was understood, there was no compromise. And between the two things, I learned so many things, how to have goals and move forward, and I gained a spiritual awareness of myself and others. That’s what drove me through college.”

And it’s what keeps driving her today as she takes up challenges like helping at risk kids, and playing the saxophone.