Leadership

When I first decided to become involved with CASA of Kent County I had enjoyed a 20 year career in retail. Child Advocacy was a path I never thought in a million years I would take.

One day I picked up the Advance Newspaper and saw a recruitment ad for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Upon further investigation I saw that these were community volunteers specially trained and sworn in a court of law to uphold the constitution in protecting our community's most vulnerable – children. In short, an organization that advocates for children in the foster care system because of abuse and neglect. I thought, "I can do this."

At this time I had two incredible children at home who have very unique learning styles. Even though I lived in a very progressive school district, I still needed to be the voice for my children. If I did not speak up for them, who would? When I read the ad in the Advance I thought, "If I don't, who will?"

Five families, 13 children and one college degree later, I find myself enjoying an amazing career. I work with over 100 of the most talented individuals I have ever met. This includes our staff, board and volunteers; the heart and soul of this organization.

I cannot imagine a community without this advocacy. CASA is 22 programs strong in Michigan. But that also leaves 61 counties with children who are wards of the court without a voice in court. Who is speaking for these children? Who is making sure they do not fall through the cracks? Who is seeing that the child's next foster care worker understand his or her needs?

Our children spend less time in long term foster care than children without a CASA. Our children are half as likely to be removed from their homes a second time, and twice as likely to be placed in a permanent home. What I have learned over the last ten years is that every child deserves a voice, and all it takes is just one person.

I became involved in child advocacy following the birth of my son Sean in 1965. He experienced significant birth trauma and subsequent brain damage. The eventual ramification of all that was a child with special needs affecting most areas of his life. Not having training to deal with his issues I became his advocate and mine for services. I continue to be and realize very well what an intricate and convoluted maze exists, at times, to serve children. This is not only true for family members but many time child welfare workers as well.

My adventure as Sean's mother led me to advocate for others and more broadly as I worked to make system change. I have lived in Kent County for most of my 65 years and have been involved as an advocate for children and very involved to promote cultural diversity in Kent County.

My recent years as a CASA Advocate Supervisor have been very rewarding. CASA affords me the opportunity to advocate for individual children and continue my efforts to identify and reduce the barriers to service. I am particularly interested in the children who are aging out of the system and am involved in that arena in many aspects.

CASA is extremely important and necessary to the children of Kent County who have been abused and/or neglected. These are children who are many times damaged in most areas of their lives. If they are to recover and lead successful lives there needs to be a consistent and persistent voice for them which reaches to the highest levels of decision making.

My husband and I moved to Grand Rapids as newlyweds in January 1978 in the middle of one of the worst snowstorms in Michigan's history. About a year later, we purchased our first home and settled in. I was employed for 15 years, and then quit to be at home with our son.

My volunteer work began in my son’s schools. I was a room mother, helped in the school library, participated in several committees, worked on fundraising activities, and was a Cub Scout den mother.

In 1999, I decided to volunteer with CASA after speaking with a Family Court judge who firmly believes in the value of the program. She told me she could rely upon the information and insights provided by CASA volunteers and that the volunteers were often invaluable in helping her make informed decisions. After training and accepting my first case, I quickly came to understand the Judge’s opinion. In 2005, I became and an Advocate Supervisor.

Initially, it was a shock to discover that caseworkers have such high caseloads and limited time, and that so much of their time is devoted to composing reports, requesting funds for services and clerical duties. Caseworkers have very difficult and demanding jobs, and their efforts directly impact children’s futures. Caseworkers oftentimes lack sufficient opportunities to develop relationships with the children they serve. This is an important area where CASA volunteers bridge the gap.

Our volunteers investigate and flesh out the issues that brought the children into care. We are able develop relationships and provide caseworkers with valuable information to better meet the needs of our CASA kids. We are able to work in conjunction with caseworkers to deliver the best possible resources to children and families so that every child has a safe and permanent home.

I have six children of my own. I cannot have anymore so I thought it would be nice to reach out and help other children to have a safe and permanent home. Children are my passion.

The first case I was assigned as a volunteer, I was on for three years and involved three children. At first they were in home wards and lived with mom, but after 2 1/2 years the children were placed in foster care. Their mom had supervised visits at the agency.

In December 2004 when mom was on her way to see her children for a supervised visit she was involved in a tragic car accident. She went off the road, hit a tree head on, and did not survive the accident. This was very tough for me as an advocate, because I became pretty close to mom through the years. After the mom died in the crash the children went back to live with their dad. I was with the family until the end and beyond. That year Judge Feeney nominated me for CASA of the year, stating I went above and beyond what a CASA does. I would do it all over again, because I saw the difference a CASA makes.

As a Volunteer I have done special fundraising, special projects, had two cases [4 children] when was not working for a Family Court Judge. Because of my position I could not be assigned to a case unless special circumstances. This did take place and had permission from the Chief Judge, which did happen, and I was a volunteer for one child. As staff I served on the development committee that started CASA of Kent County and then supervised the program for about 8 yrs. I also supervised around 40 – 50 volunteers over the 8 yrs I worked for the program.

I have been resident of Kent County for 32 years. I worked with Family Resource Center in special professional speakers group that spoke to teacher, child development center’s ect. On an awareness of sexual abuse and what to do if a child discloses to them. I spoke in over 30 – 40 schools over 4 years this group existed. I volunteered in Northview schools and my church. Married and raised two children and became fictive kin to my daughter’s best friend when she lost her only parent. All three are adults and two are married and I have three grandchildren.

I have been an advocate for children since I was in high school and worked with young teens. I continued that passion in college and in my career. I have continued that passion after retiring from the court system and now using that knowledge I have of the system to help children. The children in the system need CASA. The professionals are over worked and the turn over in case managers are high. As workers and sometimes judges & attorneys change the CASA provides the constant in that child’s life.

I am a wife and mother of three beautiful children. My family has lived in Grand Rapids for almost 20 years. Seeing the city grow and being able to grow with it has been a blessing! I love Grand Rapids and being part of this amazing community. I am passionate about serving those in need. Working with CASA of Kent County allows me to truly integrate with the efforts to help those in need.