Building Community

Wilson pleased to finally be counseling kids and their parents

Genois Young Adams Wilson "IPFW was the best possible decision I could have made for my education," said Wilson. "It's just a great school from which to graduate."

Genois Young Adams Wilson never imagined where her education from IPFW would lead her. When Wilson graduated from IPFW in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in sociology, she believed the doors would open to a career with youth.

After a six-month wait, she accepted a position with the Emergency Services Center. As dispatcher for 911 Emergency Services, Wilson spent the next four years familiarizing herself with the city by studying maps and driving city streets.

"When the city first called, I thought this was my break to begin working with juveniles," said Wilson. "But instead, I found myself wearing a uniform and carrying a .38."

In 1979, she was asked to attend the Fort Wayne Fire Training Academy, in an attempt to make her Fort Wayne's first female firefighter. Wilson successfully completed the training and was named platoon captain. Her new job responsibilities included regular fire-prevention inspections of public buildings and the Fire Safety Education Program. She was also instrumental in the development of Fort Wayne's Safety Village.

In 1995, after 20 years with the fire department, she retired. "It was my opportunity to be re-challenged," she said.

Today, Wilson is finally working with juveniles full time as a probation officer for the Allen Superior Court. She currently counsels almost 50 kids who range in ages from 10 to 18.

"Our real goal is to provide an opportunity for these kids not to re offend," said Wilson. "We work to make a difference in their home and school life, and we provide counseling.

"I think I am ultimately where I wanted to be, doing what I wanted to do," said Wilson. "I always wanted to counsel kids and their families. I put in a lot of hours and it's intensive work, but I always hope that somehow, even if I don't see it myself, I've made a difference."

Even though Wilson has held a wide array of jobs, she knows getting her education at IPFW was the best foundation. "I never believed I'd use some of the skills I learned in my sociology class," said Wilson, "but I did. Those classes made me bolder and willing to try new things that no one had done before.

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