Impact
Read the Grand Rapids Press story of Marion Haight (PDF | 6.1 MB)
Read the Grand Rapids Press story of Chris Resau (PDF | 53 K)
Read the Grand Rapids Press story of Carolyn Guyton (PDF | 74 K)
Volunteer Profiles
Our CASA volunteers are unique and spirited people who love their role as advocates for the abused and neglected children of our community. Get to know just a few of these special people and understand why they love what they do.
Name: Marlene
Current Occupation: Substitute Teacher with the Grand Rapids Public Schools
Years of involvement with CASA: 14
Number of kids served: 13
"2,500 hours volunteered, 20,000 miles traveled, 50 court appearances, and a single purpose: to give the voiceless a chance to be heard."
Marlene, how did your involvement with CASA begin?
“Volunteering for the PTSA, Girl Scouts and teaching Junior Achievement were important activities for me but I was ready for more of a challenge. When I saw the CASA information in the newspaper Volunteer Opportunities section I called for an application and attended the training to be a volunteer. Training prepared me, but I was nervous when Judge Carpenter needed an advocate for a young girl who was in danger of ’slipping through the cracks.’ I took the case and with the help of my supervisor felt confident and instrumental in the successful outcome. Each case is unique and you are always learning.”
What attracted you to work as a CASA volunteer?
“To let children and families know that they have an advocate during their time within the court system. My life is enriched when interacting with all the everyday heroes in our community: the foster parents, social workers, therapists, attorneys, judges and CASA staff and volunteers; who all go the extra mile for children.”
What are some highlights of your association with the CASA organization?
“Working on a case where the Michigan Supreme Court reversed a local judge’s decision to terminate parental rights thus negating the subsequent adoption of their child to another family. Working with the biological family and the adoptive family expanded my understanding of compassion, forgiveness and love.
Working on a case where upon my involvement showed the biological father of a six-year-old girl was overlooked as a placement due to factors that were not investigated. After multiple meetings with the father, researching police reports and interviewing the local neighborhood association as well as spending time with the child, my recommendation was that the father be granted custody. Eleven years later the family is thriving.”
Can you describe an average CASA week during an active time with your current case?
“My current case is winding down but started in February of 2005 and involved five siblings. Three of the siblings have been returned to a parent or adopted. The remaining girls are 17 and 18 now and are in independent and semi-independent living arrangements. A typical week will involve a call to each girl, a ride to work or school with a stop for lunch or coffee. I email their social worker every other week with my impressions and to ask for an update. I send a monthly update email to their attorney. I talk to the foster parent every other week and call their schools every month. Coordinating visits with their siblings happens each report period. Documenting my involvement for CASA program statistics is a weekly task and important for court report writing. Judges depend on our court reports for independent, factual observations and information that they do not get from other sources.”