Cindy Houseman honored as Woman of Distinction

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Seven women will be honored by the YWCA of Greater Lafayette next week. The Salute to Women award winners are selected for outstanding achievements in their volunteer or professional roles, community involvement and leadership qualities.

With two alcoholic parents, Cindy Houseman was raised by her grandmother. Houseman's grandmother encouraged her to do whatever she wanted to do. Although she originally didn't want to take her job as Executive Director of Tippecanoe County Court Services, she eventually caved.

"I initially didn't want to work with people with alcohol and drug problems because I had some resentment about my parents. As I worked through that resentment, I began to have some compassion," Houseman said.

Houseman has used her compassion to start in-house drug and alcohol classes to help the clients save time and money.

She also saw the need for a Latino/Hispanic evaluator and case manager. Therefore, she took it upon herself to become certified to help save money.

"It was, like, a 16-week course at the courthouse to get the court terminology down and I had eight years of Spanish in school. So between the two of those, I was able to become the case manager and evaluator," Houseman explained.

Houseman also volunteers with several various groups.

She said she had no idea she was nominated as one of the Salute to Woman honorees. But she said it was certainly a nice surprise.

"I just felt really humbled. I felt like -- wow," Houseman said.

Again, Houseman is one of seven being honored at the Salute to Women Awards on March 5. News 18 will continue to profile the rest of the recipients over the next week.