CASA of Lexington added five more volunteers and one interpreter at a special swearing in ceremony held at the Fayette County Circuit Courthouse this summer.
The newly sworn volunteers are already starting to work cases, advocating for abused and neglected children in central Kentucky. Over the next 12 months, they may help change outcomes for as many as 12 children.
The five new volunteers are Jean Earnhardt, Emma Havens, Ashley Hughes, Pamela Mahoney, and Carmen Siguenza. A total of 60 people have become CASA volunteers with CASA of Lexington so far this year.
“We want to say congratulations to each of you. We also want to say thank you to friends and family here to support – because the journey is not finished here,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “We really do rely on our volunteers to be able to serve more children.”
Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs like CASA of Lexington provide volunteers to family court judges, who assign them to cases where they would like to have a deeper understanding of what a child is going through or what they need to thrive.
Each CASA volunteer visits their child monthly, gathers information about the child’s life, and compiles reports for the judge that can change the course of the case or help guide the judge’s decision. The children also benefit from having a consistent, positive adult in their lives who stays with them no matter what else changes on the case.
Jamison said CASA of Lexington volunteers served just shy of 700 children in 2025, but that only represents around 20% of the need.
Family Court Judge Tiffany Yahr swore in the new volunteers and a Friend of CASA Interpreter, Wendy Ulloa, who will interpreter for volunteers assigned to cases where a child or family member doesn’t speak English as a first language.
“I’m so glad that you’re here,” Yahr told the new volunteers. “I definitely want you to hear it directly from us that CASA volunteers absolutely make a difference. We do read your reports and always take them into consideration.”
After completing the initial 30-hour training class, it takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. If you’d like to learn more about CASA volunteer or fill out a volunteer application, visit www.casaoflexington.org.
