We recently connected with Gauthami Vemula-Queijo and have shared our conversation below.
Gauthami, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
When we founded color me SAFE LLC in 2012, our goal was to empower and educate families and communities in matters of child welfare—especially in advocating, consulting, and helping families navigate the complex system of Child Protective Services (CPS). Our sole mission is to provide guidance and solutions for child welfare issues.
Color me SAFE has a small team with combined fifty years of cumulative experience in child welfare, specifically working at CPS. We work directly with families, family law attorneys, nonprofits that serve children and families, daycares, school systems, and the broader community. The cases that come through color me SAFE often include child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, divorce and custody issues, mental health, and teenage and parent conflict.
Families often feel powerless and helpless when dealing with government institutions such as CPS. They need an advocate to ensure their rights are protected and that these institutions are held accountable. When families are referred to Color me SAFE, they often feel traumatized, helpless, scared, and lost, fearing their children may be taken away. They are uncertain about what to do or who to turn to. For us, it’s not about a paycheck or closing a case file—it’s about making a difference, which is clear when families return months later to express their gratitude for keeping them together.
Color me SAFE has assisted families with some of the most heartbreaking cases. For instance, a family had their three-month-old baby removed after a visit to the ER because of an overzealous hospital staff and CPS misunderstanding. Being recent immigrants with limited English skills in a high-stress situation, they were unable to properly convey the incident’s circumstances. Color me SAFE guided this family for several months throughout their complex case until they were reunited with their child a year later. Due to their circumstances, we provided our services pro bono, as the family was in desperate need but could not afford our help.
Over the years, we have encountered numerous families in need of our assistance who could not afford our services. We have taken on more than forty pro bono cases over the years and invested almost 1,000 hours at no charge. Unfortunately, due to limited resources, there were several other families in need of support and guidance that we were unable to assist. This was the primary impetus for launching the Color me SAFE Foundation as a 501(c)(3) organization at the end of 2022.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My path in child welfare began within the walls of the Department of Child Protective Services (CPS), where I embarked on my career as a sexual abuse investigator. From the onset, it was abundantly clear that no textbook or classroom could have fully prepared me for the profound complexities and emotional challenges of working in child welfare. My dedication and commitment to the cause saw me advancing through the ranks, eventually leading one of the child abuse/neglect investigative units as a Department Manager. This role was not just a job; it was a calling, pushing me to confront and navigate through the intricacies of child protection every day.
A significant milestone in my career at CPS was being selected to serve as a Quality & Training Manager with the On Job Training Team. In this capacity, I was able to contribute to the training of new CPS investigators, a responsibility I undertook with the utmost seriousness and dedication. My tenure in this role was marked by notable achievements, including the co-authorship of Dallas County’s policy and procedure handbook for CPS Investigators—a vital resource that has since become a cornerstone of investigative protocols. Moreover, our team pioneered a training methodology known as ‘Tips, Tools, & Tactics,’ specifically tailored to equip newly trained investigators with the practical skills and insights needed to navigate the complexities of child welfare investigations.
After a decade of service with CPS, it became increasingly evident to me that the system, while designed to protect, often found itself constrained by its own structures, leaving little room for innovation or personal growth. This realization sparked a profound desire within me to explore avenues beyond the confines of CPS, where I could leverage my expertise and experiences to effect change on a broader scale.
The inception of Color me SAFE was born out of this desire, combined with a series of enlightening interactions with individuals and families from various communities, not limited to but including the South Asian community. These interactions highlighted a pervasive need for guidance, support, and understanding within the child welfare ecosystem. It was clear that many families found themselves at a loss, struggling to navigate the complexities of the CPS landscape, often compounded by barriers such as language, cultural misunderstandings, and a general lack of awareness about their rights and the workings of the child welfare system.
Fueled by a vision to bridge the gap between a well-intentioned but often overwhelming system and the families it aims to serve, I left CPS to establish Color me SAFE. Our mission is to serve as a beacon of hope and a source of empowerment for families ensnared in the child welfare process. Through Color me SAFE, I aim to educate and empower our clients, offering guidance and solutions tailored to their unique circumstances. Our goal is to transform the child welfare landscape into one that is more compassionate, understanding, and effective in serving the diverse needs of all families.
As you come to know me and the ethos behind Color me SAFE, I want to impress upon you the depth of our commitment to making a difference. Our work is not just about navigating a system; it’s about reshaping that system to be more inclusive, equitable, and supportive. We champion the cause of the underrepresented and the misunderstood, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld. At the heart of Color me SAFE lies a relentless pursuit of justice, a passion for advocacy, and a steadfast belief in the power of collective action to bring about meaningful change. My vision is to EDUCATE & EMPOWER our families/clients by providing guidance and solutions in child welfare issues.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Embracing the path of a social entrepreneur inherently comes with its fair share of challenges and tests of resilience. The journey to founding Color me SAFE was marked by considerable financial risks and a significant investment of my time and resources. Pioneering a venture that was both novel and niche demanded not just creativity but an unwavering commitment to our mission. Throughout this process, I’ve encountered numerous obstacles, ranging from securing finances and executing effective marketing strategies to engaging the community and streamlining operations. These hurdles, formidable as they were, served as constant tests of my determination and resilience.
There have been moments of doubt, times when the prospect of a more conventional 9-to-5 job seemed a simpler path. Yet, it’s the undeniable need for Color me SAFE’s services within the community that reignites my resolve and compels me to press forward. The feedback from our clients, hearing the profound impact of our work on their lives, transforms all challenges into milestones of learning and growth. The heartfelt gratitude expressed by families we’ve assisted, celebrating the unity we’ve helped preserve, eclipses the trials faced along the way. This recognition is not just a source of personal fulfillment but a powerful reminder of the difference we’re making.
My journey has been buoyed by an incredible support system of family and friends, whose belief in my vision has been a cornerstone of my resilience. Their encouragement has been instrumental in navigating the ups and downs of this venture. In reflecting on resilience, it’s clear that it’s not just about weathering the storm but also about learning from each challenge, allowing it to forge you into a stronger, more determined individual.
The essence of resilience, I’ve learned, lies in the relentless pursuit of your vision, despite the inevitable setbacks and imperfections. It’s about embracing the journey, with all its bumps and detours, as an opportunity for growth and impact. Inspired by the words of a Hindu saint, I’ve made it my mission to embody and pursue a single idea with all my being. This singular focus has not only been a blueprint for success but a testament to the power of resilience. When driven by a deep belief in your purpose and the desire to enact change, the path, however bumpy, is always worth traveling.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
At Color me SAFE, our team, though small, is the heartbeat of our mission. Managing such a dedicated and experience tea and maintaining high morale hinges on a few core principles that I believe are universal in fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Integrity forms the foundation of everything we do. It’s about leading by example and setting a standard for honesty and transparency within the team and with the community we work with. By embodying these values, we create a culture of trust. Trust, in turn, empowers our team members to take initiative, voice their ideas and concerns, and feel secure in the knowledge that their contributions are valued and respected.
Frequent Check-ins are crucial. They’re not merely administrative touchpoints but genuine opportunities to connect, understand personal and professional challenges, and provide support. These interactions reinforce the idea that we’re not just a team, but a community invested in each other’s wellbeing. It’s during these moments that we can identify and mitigate issues before they escalate, ensuring that every team member feels heard and supported.
Inclusivity is a commitment to ensuring every voice is heard and valued. In a diverse team like ours, each member brings unique perspectives and skills to the table. Fostering an inclusive environment means those differences are not just acknowledged but celebrated. By doing so, we tap into a wealth of creative and innovative solutions that only such a rich tapestry of experiences can offer. Inclusivity, therefore, isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic one. Keep in a mind that Color me SAFE is always thinking out of the box.
Teamwork is the glue that holds everything together. Encouraging collaboration, mutual support, and shared goals means that no one is ever working in isolation. Celebrating these successes as a team further strengthens bonds and morale.
Maintaining high morale, especially in an organization that deals with challenging social issues, also means acknowledging the emotional toll such work can take. Providing resources for mental health, ensuring work-life balance, and creating a supportive atmosphere are all critical. Additionally, recognizing individual achievements contribute to a positive organizational culture.
In conclusion, managing a team and maintaining high morale at Color me SAFE involves a holistic approach. It’s about fostering an environment where integrity, frequent personal interactions, inclusivity, and teamwork are not just practiced but are embedded in the very fabric of our organizational culture. By prioritizing these principles, we’ve cultivated a resilient, motivated, and tight-knit team poised to make a significant impact on the communities we serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.colormesafe.net & www.colormesafefoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/color_me_safe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColorMeSafe
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gvemula/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColorMeSafe