Helping kids has been Connie Livoti’s life; A lifelong volunteer she encourages parents to get involved and pay attention to their kids, By Ginny Raue Growing up with three brothers, Connie Livoti was tired of playing cowboys and Indians. One day, looking for a way to better express her inner self, she snagged a bottle of her mother’s red nail polish and an old plate and went to work painting flowers on the dish. Her design was so impressive that from then on her family made sure she had art supplies and so began a life of artistic creativity. Livoti, 70, studied piano and ballet, she is an accomplished painter and an award-winning wood carver, she is into sewing, interior design and decorating. That sounds like enough to keep her busy but there is so much more to Livoti. A native New Yorker, she was raised in Forest Hills, graduating from Forest Hills High School in 1956. In later years she studied art and fashion design at Berkeley College. Livoti worked for Pan American Airlines in domestic advertising and then went on to a 30-year career as an administrator/real estate paralegal. Now married for 51 years to Tom, the couple moved to Crescent Park in West Milford in 1969. They have three adult children, Jeff, Yvette and Greg, and four grandchildren. When her children were young Livoti became involved in the school system where several groups eventually united and evolved into Community Against Substance Abuse (C.A.S.A.). She has now been chairperson of C.A.S.A. for 15 years. Her husband has worked beside her for the last 10 years. Sixteen years ago she also became a volunteer member of the Juvenile Conference Committee of West Milford (JCC) and serves as its chairperson. The JCC hears cases of minor offenses. They meet with the juvenile and parents, make recommendations that, if approved by a judge, become court orders that are subsequently closely monitored by the JCC. Complaints such as school fights or illegal use of ATVs can result in a juvenile having a police record until they are 23 years old. The offenders may be assigned community service and, importantly, they often spread the word to their friends of the possible consequences of their actions. “With JCC they are already in trouble. With C.A.S.A. we try to prevent the trouble,” Livoti said. Operating with grants from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, fundraisers and local donations, C.A.S.A.’s main focus is to prevent drug and alcohol abuse within the township. The West Milford Police Department plays a role in C.A.S.A., taking part in many of its events. With heroin and prescription drug use on the rise in the township, the police try to provide positive choices for the young people of the community. “We try our best to curb the issues,” Officer Joseph Nevin said. Through yearly grants C.A.S.A. funds a variety of programs such as Community Awareness, Babes and Pre-School Babes, Positive Parenting, the Teen Center, Safeplace, Project Graduation and the student program, Real. Livoti cites her background in law and witnessing the problems associated with abuse cases as her motivation for joining C.A.S.A. and the JCC. “You get involved and then you can’t walk away. I love what I’m doing,” she said. Livoti’s best advice to parents is to stay involved with their children. She invites all residents to come to a C.A.S.A. meeting where their concerns can be heard. Volunteers are always welcome. For their years of dedication to the township Connie and Tom were awarded the Passaic County Volunteers of the Year in 2006-2007. Livoti’s showcase home is an on-going project and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty in the process. She also enjoys gardening and Mah Jongg is her passion. She’s a gourmet cook but her family calls her the barbeque queen, who even serves up pizza from the grill. She submitted a fast and fabulous eggplant recipe.
Quick and Easy Pan Fried Eggplant Parmesan
1 small onion
1 clove garlic
1 large eggplant
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup (or more) tomato sauce
Olive oil
Cube eggplant, skin can be removed or left on
Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until golden, remove from oil, set aside
Cook eggplant in olive oil until tender, leave in pan
Add garlic and onion, mix together
Add mozzarella cheese on top
Add small amount of tomato sauce
Cover and let simmer until cheese melts
Hotline Information
Marlene Terhune, C.A.S.A. Alliance Coordinator - 973-728-2860
AA - NJ Intergroup 1-800-245-1377, 1-800-322-5525
Ala-Call 1-800-322-5525
Self Help Groups 1-800-367-6274
Drug Hotline 1-800-225-0196
Narcotics Anonymous 1-800-992-0401