New mom helps other kids, too — by serving as a CASA volunteer
CASA volunteer Jessica Schroeder As a teacher, Jessica Schroeder saw many children who had significant home life issues — they were being abused or neglected and struggling at school as a result. But the school system couldn’t address what was going on in those kids’ lives well enough to make a difference.That’s when she decided […]
Medical professional helps keep focus on family preservation as a CASA volunteer
CASA Volunteer Melissa Martin One of Melissa Martin’s proudest moments was becoming a mom. “My daughter is my whole life. I would not know what to do without her,” Melissa said. “She changed my life for the better. I had her so young. But she has taught me what fighting for a better life is […]
CASA volunteers team up to create ‘miraculous’ outcome for teen mom and her child
The CASA of Lexington Volunteers of the Month for August are working on related cases together, helping a teen mom and her child find a brighter future. Jennifer Cathey and Jane Crickard are working as a team, one advocating for the needs of the teen mom and one advocating for the needs of the mom’s […]
CASA Volunteer helps children navigate ‘an ever-changing landscape’
CASA Volunteer Nicole Creech Nicole Creech first heard about Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers in 1994. The possibility of advocating for neglected children intrigued her, but she had too much else going on at the time to make the commitment. Later, Nicole learned about the “loss of a child in my own family to the […]
Physician-educator uses her skills to advocate for children as a CASA volunteer
CASA Volunteer Mary Duke Mary Duke has spent nearly three decades as a physician-educator at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the Lexington VA Health Care System. She does important work in her job, and for the past two years, she has also been doing important work as a CASA volunteer. “I first […]
Retired elementary school principal finds her new calling as a CASA volunteer
CASA Volunteer Rene Shaw Rene Saner spent three decades as an elementary school principal and teacher. “My heart went out to students who were at risk,” she said of her time in education. “I looked for ways to make their life better at school.” Now in retirement, Rene has found another way to help children […]
Lexington man chooses to do something about child abuse and neglect in his community
CASA Volunteer Michael Hale Three years ago, Michael Hale read about the rising problem of child abuse and neglect. He couldn’t ignore what was happening. “I felt like I needed to get involved,” he said. And Michael knew how he wanted to get involved: He wanted to become a CASA volunteer. Three years later, Michael […]
Scott County Residents Sweep CASA Volunteer of the Month awards for May
CASA volunteers Glenn Burns and Carrie Gordy Scott County residents Carrie Gordy and Glenn Burns swept CASA of Lexington’s Volunteer of the Month awards for May. Gordy and Burns both earned Volunteer of the Month honors for doing outstanding work advocating for the abused and neglected children they serve. “Sometimes it hurts your heart to […]
UK Law student helps children, gains court experience by serving as a CASA volunteer
CASA Volunteer Taylor Clark Taylor Clark will soon start her legal career as an associate attorney at the Lexington law firm Jackson Kelly. But she will already have around two years of experience in court when she walks in the door on her first day. That’s because Clark serves as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) […]
Bourbon County CASA earns Volunteer of the Month award for helping abused and neglected children
CASA Volunteer Beth Monarch Beth Monarch makes time for crafting, gardening and traveling in retirement. She also makes time for abused and neglected children. Monarch serves as a CASA volunteer in Bourbon County, advocating for children from the community who have been abused or neglected. She has served as a CASA volunteer for five years […]