CASA Volunteer Wanda Osborne

CASA Volunteer of the Month Wanda Osborne doesn’t look away when she knows there’s a way she can help others.

Osborne had plenty that could have kept her busy after a long career: her grandchildren, travel plans, connecting with old friends and church activities, to name a few. But then, she learned about CASA volunteering from her niece. She realized she needed to be a CASA volunteer.

“The thought of helping children who were in bad situations fit perfectly with my belief that to serve God, we need to serve others,” Osborne said. “And who better to serve than those who are unable to take care of themselves?”

Osborne has now advocated for four abused and neglected Scott County children since she became a CASA volunteer about 13 months ago. She visits the children she is matched with monthly and provides updates to the judge on their cases about how the children are doing and what they need.

“There’s a world out there that most of us are not exposed to – a world where kiddos are hurting,” she said. “Being a CASA volunteer exposes you to this world. It will not make you comfortable. But it will make you feel like you are making the world a better place.”

CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training to prepare them for the work. Once they accept a case and are matched to a child in need, they have a Volunteer Manager who guides them at each step.

“My Volunteer Manager Roxana Del Campo is wonderful. She is always cheerful and supportive,” Osborne said. “I still feel like I have so much to learn, but she is a steady rock and safe place to run to.”

Del Campo nominated Osborne to be a Volunteer of the Month because of how effective she has been for her CASA children.

“Wanda is the type of volunteer who understands you need to have an open mind to advocate for the best interests of children,” Del Campo said. “The children and family find a sense of comfort that Wanda will follow them wherever they go.”

CASA volunteers typically spend about 5-10 hours a month volunteering. That includes visiting the CASA child, talking to people in the child’s life, reviewing records and creating reports for the judge.

“I don’t generally spend too much time each month,” Osborne said. “You consistently have the time you spend with your CASA kid. Court has been only once every two or three months. Doing the first report for each case takes a little more time, but after that, it’s just updating it.”

Osborne said there have been several situations recently where her knowledge of a child’s situation has been important and helped guide the judge to a more-informed decision.

“There are so many children in bad situations that each kiddo can become just another child in the system,” she said. “The CASA volunteer gives a voice to each individual child. We change the child from a statistic into a very real person with very real needs.”

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org. A summer training for new volunteers runs June 23-27 and a fall training with classes on evenings and weekends begins Sept. 4.

CASA Volunteer Anne Marie Marshall

Anne Marie Marshall began her work as a CASA volunteer more than two and a half years ago, when she was first matched with a neglected child who was part of a large sibling set.

Today, all the siblings but one have found safe, permanent homes, and the last one may soon reach permanency, as well. Marshall has been chosen as a CASA Volunteer of the Month because of how she has contributed over and over to help each of the children.

Marshall has been instrumental in keeping children in safe placements and protecting them from further trauma, just by visiting regularly and speaking up for the children’s needs, said Jenifer Lamb, Garrard County CASA Volunteer Manager.

“Despite all difficulties, she remains dedicated to seeing each child in a safe, permanent home,” Lamb said.

CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children in the Garrard County family court system. Each volunteer visits their matched child monthly, talks to people in the child’s life, reviews records and compiles what they learn for Garrard County Family Court Judge Jeff Moss.

CASA reports provide a unique perspective from a regular person and help get better results for the children, Moss has said.

Marshall said her experience as a CASA volunteer has shown her there are really good people in the court system trying to help the large number of children who have suffered abuse or neglect. Sometimes, it takes a CASA volunteer like her to find the best solution.

In Garrard County last year, at least 125 children suffered abuse or neglect. There are currently only enough CASA volunteers to serve about 11% of the children in the Garrard County family court system.

Marshall said one of her favorite memories of serving as a CASA volunteer is when she helped get one of the children on her case into a new foster home that could fully meet his needs.

“I could see the change in him and how comfortable he was and how much difference that family made for him,” she said. “He felt secure, finally, for the first time.”

It takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. All new CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training class to prepare them for the work. A local training for new CASA volunteers in Garrard and Lincoln counties will be held at the Garrard Education Center beginning Sept. 9, with classes on Tuesday evenings and two Saturdays. Regional trainings in Lexington are also available June 23-27 and Sept. 4-Oct. 21.

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org. 

CASA of Lexington is added 10 new volunteers who will advocate for abused and neglected children in central Kentucky.

The new volunteers recently completed their training class. Now, CASA will match them with children in the family court system who need someone looking out for them.

Fayette County Family Court Judge Ross Ewing swore in the new volunteers May 27, in a special ceremony at the CASA of Lexington office.

Ewing is one of four family court judges in Fayette County and nine family court judges in CASA of Lexington's service region. All nine judges regularly use CASA volunteers to help improve outcomes for children.

"The kids you are going to represent are great kids," Ewing told the new volunteers. "They've usually been through something that's hard for us to even put into words. But they're terrific, amazing kids. And most of the time, the only way I'm going to hear about that is from you."

Each CASA volunteer visits their assigned child monthly and gathers information from people and records about what is happening in the child's life. They share what they learn with the judge and recommend actions that could help the child do better. CASA volunteers regularly help get children additional therapies and other services. They can also help speed up cases so children spend less time in the system and more time in safe, permanent homes. And they can ensure supports are in place for families so that children do not re-enter the system later on.

"The child welfare system is so overloaded that no one really has much time to give each of these children," said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. "Because of that, just a few hours a month from a CASA volunteer is often enough to completely transform a child's future."

The new volunteers will likely help as many as 27 children during their first year of service. CASA volunteers commit to giving an average of 5-10 hours a month for at least two years after completing their training class.

"There are still hundreds more children in the system who do not have CASA volunteers right now," Jamison said. "We definitely need more people like these 11 new volunteers who are stepping up to make their world a better place for kids and families."

A summer training for the next class of new volunteers runs June 23-27, with classes during the day and lunches provided. A fall training with classes on evenings and weekends begins Sept. 4. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

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CASA Volunteer Erin Hall

Erin Hall has dedicated a lot of her life to helping others and making her world a better place.

She is a wife and mother of five adult children, including two whom she adopted. She serves as the Stable Moments Coordinator at Justin’s Place, a horse farm that provides trauma-informed therapy services for children.

And she is a CASA volunteer — someone who is matched with abused and neglected children, spends time with them each month and advocates for whatever they need.

“My Christian faith and the support of friends and family are the foundation of my life, and they continually inspire me to advocate for children in foster care with compassion, purpose and hope,” she said. “My time as a CASA volunteer has taught me that every child’s story is valuable — and often, it’s far more complex than we first realize. Those stories deserve to be heard, understood, and told.”

Hall has been named a CASA volunteer of the Month for CASA of Lexington’s seven-county region because of her ability to bring people together in pursuit of good outcomes for her CASA children.

“Erin does a great job building connections so that everyone can work toward what is best,” said Heather Porter, Hall’s Volunteer Manager in Woodford County. “She is great at developing relationships with children and understanding what’s going on in their lives.”

Hall said the 5 to 10 hours a month she gives to CASA is “worth every minute because the children and families we serve deserve hope and a future.”

“As a CASA volunteer, you have the unique ability to meet a child where they are and truly be a catalyst for change,” she said. “Your role goes beyond simply observing or reporting. You become a consistent, trusted adult in a child’s life — something many children in the foster care system may have never experienced. You’re uniquely positioned to advocate for what will help them not just survive, but thrive.”

CASA Volunteer Delaney Thomas

After the third time someone told Delaney Thomas she should be a CASA volunteer, she figured there must be something to their suggestions.

“I took it as a sign and decided to apply,” Thomas said. “It’s truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — for both myself and my community.”

CASA volunteers like Thomas are matched with children who have suffered abuse or neglect. Each volunteer visits their child monthly and helps identify if they need anything to help them thrive.

Thomas has advocated for five children since she became a CASA volunteer. Her Volunteer Manager Weida Allen said Thomas has been an excellent advocate for young kids and teenagers alike.

“I value Delaney’s ability to work with all age groups,” Allen said. “Her reports are always spot-on and she is always there at every hearing for her CASA kids.”

Thomas has been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month for CASA of Lexington’s seven-county region because of her passion for helping kids and dedication to sharing CASA with others, the same way it was shared with her.

“Serving as a CASA volunteer is more than worth my time. Being a consistent, caring adult in a child’s life, without any agenda other than showing up for them, means something,” Thomas said. “That consistency builds trust and truly impacts their lives and their outcomes. It’s powerful and rewarding in a way that’s hard to put into words.”

CASA volunteers each give about 5 to 10 hours a month on average. That time includes visiting with the child, talking to people in the child’s life, review records, and writing reports about the child’s situation. CASA volunteers can help children get more services, do better in school, feel more hopeful for their futures, and be restored to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Thomas works full-time at the Kentucky Historical Society, paints watercolors and performs through Pixie Dust Playdates, “becoming good friends” with characters such as Merida, Anna, Rapunzel and others.

“You don’t need any special talents or legal experience to be a CASA volunteer,” she said. “All you need is compassion and a commitment to show up for these kids. Just caring and being there is enough — and it can make all the difference.”

Eight UK law students are sworn in as CASA of Lexington’s newest volunteers in April.

Eight law students have joined the growing number of UK students who are serving as CASA volunteers to help neglected children and gain valuable life experience while in college.

The students completed a training course in March. Fayette County Family Court Judge Ross Ewing swore them in as CASA volunteers in the grand courtroom at the Rosenberg College of Law Building on Tuesday.

“I truly believe CASA saves lives,” Ewing said. “I’ve seen it firsthand.”

CASA volunteers give 5-10 hours a month to help an abused or neglected child with an open family court case. They visit their matched child monthly, and they write reports for judges like Ewing.

“I have a whole lot of kids on my desk when I go to court. Most Mondays, I call at least 100 cases,” said Ewing, who also teaches law classes at UK. “I do my very best by all of them. But having someone who is just there for that one child and is going to stay laser-focused on that kid’s needs makes me much more confident in the decisions that I end up making.”

CASA volunteers do not provide legal representation or have any authority in court. Instead, they provide a regular person’s perspective on what a child needs, often helping the court think outside the box and find solutions that no one else has thought of.

CASA Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman led the students through their online training to become CASA volunteers. The training included seven learning sessions over Zoom and homework-style assignments they completed on their own time, for a total of 30 hours.

“I’m really proud of these folks and the work they’ve done over the last three months,” Stutsman said. “I’m excited to put every one of them on a case.”

Stutsman said the new volunteers will each be working with a child who has suffered abuse or neglect at the hands of their caregivers.

“The goal of every case is to reunify that family in a safer, stronger place at the end – if that’s possible,” Stutsman said. “If it’s not possible, it’s to help the court understand how to make the best decision about the safest permanent placement for those kids to grow up in.”

Ewing said CASA is a “terrific resource” that he loves to have available in his courtroom. And he offered the new volunteers some advice.

“Be bold. You’re going to have to learn to speak up in court, so just go ahead and speak up with me,” he said. “I want to hear what you have to say.”

The law students are gaining experience in court system by serving as CASA volunteers, but the volunteer role is not limited to law students and it does not require a specific educational background. Anyone who is at least 21 years old, passes background checks and can commit to giving 5-10 hours a month for two years can serve.

“By training folks who are going to be out in the community, we spread the word about how the court works for families, and how it doesn’t work as well for families and children who need protecting,” Stutsman said.

SO YOU KNOW

The eight UK law students sworn in as CASA volunteers are: Hadley Christensen, Tori Harris, Clare Hillen, Keyera Jackson, Eunice Litanda, Tina Ly, Daniel Mares and Makayla Nusbaum.

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CASA volunteer Doug Myers

Doug Myers has been following the case of a child, James for more than eight years.

James is not the child’s real name — he is an abused or neglected child with an ongoing case in the family court system. In the years since his case opened, James’ home has changed more than two dozen times.

He has lived in foster homes, hospitals and residential facilities, among other places. He has seen all the adults in his life change — except for Myers.

“The only consistent person in his life has been me,” Myers said. “This allows me to best understand his needs and how they are or are not getting met.”

Myers is James’ CASA volunteer — a community member who completes a training class and is matched with an abused or neglected child who needs an adult focused exclusively on them and their needs.

CASA volunteers visit with their matched children monthly, learn about their lives, and advocate for whatever would be in their best interests.

Myers’ dedication to ensuring James and other children have brighter futures earned him the distinction of being a CASA Volunteer of the Month in CASA of Lexington’s seven-county region this April.

“Doug has been a steadfast advocate in every case he has been appointed to during his time with CASA of Lexington,” said his Volunteer Manager, Jenifer Bahr. “He has been especially dedicated in his most recent case, remaining a constant and positive support for a young man since the mid-2010s. Doug has been by his side through multiple life experiences and visited with him regularly, no matter where he was.”

Myers learned that CASA volunteering was an option more than a decade ago, but thought he needed to wait until he retired to have enough time.

“I thought I didn’t have the time to commit. Now, I wish I had volunteered with CASA earlier,” he said. “I overestimated the time commitment and underestimated the impact I could have in a child’s life.”

It takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer, with the majority of those hours being scheduled by the volunteer at times that work for them.

“During my time as a CASA volunteer, there have been multiple things that I didn’t know how to handle, but the CASA of Lexington support team has always been available to answer my questions,” Myers said. “As a CASA volunteer, I can give back to my community, supporting children in need. Spending a little time with them each month really can make a world of difference to a child.”

If you would like to learn more about being a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer Grace Ross

A Georgetown woman’s decision to sign up as a CASA volunteer about three years ago has helped change the course of eight children’s lives.

Grace Ross said she learned about Scott County’s Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program through articles in the Georgetown News-Graphic.

“When I read a story of how a CASA volunteer saved a child’s life, I immediately went to the CASA website and filled out the application,” she said. “Being a CASA volunteer is so important because you are giving a child a voice.”

CASA volunteers are matched with children in the local family court system who have suffered abuse or neglect. Each volunteer visits their CASA child monthly, giving them a consistent, positive adult who takes an interest in them, tells them they matter, and advocates for whatever they need.

Ross has served as a CASA volunteer for almost three years and has been able to change the course of her CASA children’s lives for the better in remarkable ways, said her Volunteer Manager, Roxana Del Campo.

“Grace shows how important it is to show up for children,” Del Campo said. “Grace’s compassion and her monthly visits with the children help her establish a positive relationship that enables the whole family to openly communicate when issues arise.”

Because of her effective work for children, Del Campo nominated Ross to be a Volunteer of the Month for the whole seven-county CASA region that includes Scott County.

Ross is a mom to two and a grandmother to one. She also serves as a deacon at IBC Georgetown, where she facilitates a GriefShare ministry and a Guest Experience ministry.

“I always tell people, if you are looking to make a difference in a child’s life, please consider CASA,” she said. “These kids deserve to be loved.”

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can learn more at www.casaoflexington.org.

Eighteen new CASA volunteers were sworn in Thursday, swelling the ranks of regular people in central Kentucky who are making a difference for abused and neglected children.

Family Court Judge Joe Fooks swore in the new CASA volunteers, telling them grateful he and other family court judges in the area are to have their help.

“The CASA volunteers really add a depth to the information I receive about these kids,” Fooks said. “It’s much-appreciated depth. Your work is valued and all the judges rely on CASA reports to a great extent.”

The volunteers completed a 30-hour training class before being sworn in. They will now be matched with abused and neglected children who have open family court cases, and they will begin visiting the children monthly.

CASA volunteers spend more time directly with children than others in the courtroom can. They often identify problems that others have missed and propose solutions that help children do better while they’re in the state’s care and return to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“Child abuse and neglect is a big problem in Kentucky, but every person can do their part to help fix it,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “By serving as CASA volunteers, each of these 18 people will be directly improving the future for children who otherwise may have languished in the system.”

The new CASA volunteers join more than 200 others currently serving children in seven counties – Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott and Woodford – through CASA of Lexington. In 2024, CASA of Lexington volunteers helped more than 670 central Kentucky children.

“Last year, the gap between the number of available CASA volunteers and the number of kids who need a CASA volunteer grew,” Jamison said. “These 18 new volunteers are helping fill that gap. We would love to see even more people step up say, ‘I’m going to be the reason a child has a bright future,’ so that we could serve all of the children who need a CASA!”

The next in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins April 3, with classes on evenings and weekends in April and May. You can learn more about what CASA volunteers do and apply to become a CASA volunteer online at www.casaoflexington.org.

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CASA Volunteer Brooke Fatzinger

Brooke Fatzinger loves spending time with her family. That includes being a mom to her two dogs, as well as spending time with her fiancé and his kids. She also spends time every month with a young girl we’ll call Destiny.

Destiny suffered neglect several years ago and is currently in a foster home. Brooke is her Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.

“I learned about CASA from a friend who thought I would enjoy doing it. I was hesitant at first, but I was drawn to the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children in my community,” Fatzinger said. “Court advocacy seemed intimidating, but I soon realized the power of my voice.”

CASA volunteers like Fatzinger are matched with abused and neglected children in the family court system. Each volunteer spends time with their CASA child, talks to people in the child’s life, reviews records and writes reports that can prevent kids from slipping through the cracks.

Fatzinger has been able to ensure Destiny is getting educational support, that she is receiving afterschool care, and that she is in a home where she feels safe and loved. She has also built a strong relationship with Destiny, who calls Fatzinger “one of my best friends.”

“The bond I’ve formed with my CASA kid has been the most rewarding part of this experience,” Fatzinger said. “Knowing I’m making a difference in her life is truly a gift.”

CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training class before a CASA Volunteer Manager matches them with a child in need of an advocate. Volunteers typically spend 5-10 hours a month working their case, with support from their Volunteer Manager at every step.

Fatzinger has done such good work for Destiny that her Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins nominated her to be a CASA Volunteer of the Month.

“Brooke is an excellent CASA. She has made a strong connection with her CASA child, following her through placement changes, school changes, and the ups and downs of her situation,” Adkins said. “This consistency has allowed Brooke to pick up on things that others have overlooked.”

In CASA of Lexington’s seven-county service region, fewer than 20% of abused and neglected children currently receive a CASA volunteer. Fatzinger said she encourages people to consider becoming a CASA volunteer like she did and positively impacting their community.

“If you have a heart for helping children and a willingness to learn, you’ll find it is one of the most fulfilling things you can do,” she said. “The training and support you receive will equip you for the role, and the impact you make will be immeasurable.”

CASA Volunteer Pat Bennett

Pat Bennett spent his career working across Kentucky, including at a bowling ball factory, the Corvette factory in Bowling Green and with General Electric in Louisville. Once he retired, he wanted to do something with his free time that would be good for the state he loves.

“I’ve replaced being busy at work with being busy as a CASA volunteer,” Bennett said. “It has been very rewarding.”

Bennett had known about Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs for years, so once he had time, he signed up for a training class to become a volunteer. He has been a volunteer with the CASA program serving Lincoln and Garrard counties for about nine months now.

“It makes you feel good to know that you’re helping a kid,” he said.

CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children who need someone advocating for their best interests. Most volunteers take one case at a time and volunteer for 5 to 10 hours every month.

While the flexibility of the volunteer work allows people working full-time to take on a case and help a child, Bennett has used his extra free time to take on two cases at once, visiting and advocating for six children in two families.

Bennett’s Volunteer Manager Jennifer Lamb provides support whenever he needs it in both of his cases. Because of his dedication to helping his CASA kids, she nominated him for Volunteer of the Month in the seven-county region served by CASA of Lexington — a distinction he received this month.

“Pat is willing to take on any task and brings much-needed optimism to his work,” Lamb said. “He is a consistent source of support for the older children and a friendly face for the younger ones. He meets each challenge with confidence.”

Bennett said he first realized just how rewarding serving as a CASA volunteer can be when he was getting ready to leave after visiting some of his CASA children, and one of the boys ran up and demanded a hug goodbye.

“This is why CASA volunteers do what they do. It lets you know you’re doing what you should be doing,” he said. “You don’t put in nearly as much as what you get back.”

CASA Volunteer Sherill Durham-Sanders

Sherill Durham-Sanders has eight children and 15 grandchildren. But the number of young people whose lives she has affected goes well beyond that. She is a former teacher, and she now serves as a CASA volunteer with CASA of Lexington.

As a CASA volunteer, she has changed the lives of six abused or neglected children over the course of close to three years.

“Any time you can make an impact in a young person’s life, I think it’s something worth doing,” she said.

Durham-Sanders currently advocates for children in Bourbon County family court. As a CASA volunteer, she visits her CASA children regularly, gathers information about their lives, and writes reports that give everyone a much better understanding of what the children need to thrive.

Her Volunteer Manager, Weida Allen, said Durham-Sanders’ passion for helping children is obvious.

“She has this great way to helping young kids to relax around her. I’ve seen how she can engage with kids from the very beginning,” Allen said. “She just engages with them and communicates with them so easily. I think she does a very good job.”

Allen said when she and Durham-Sanders went to visit her current CASA children recently, the youngest asked whether Durham-Sanders would come back to see them again.

“Do you want me to come back?” Durham-Sanders asked.

“Oh yes!” the child responded. “I want you to come back and we’ll talk about some more things.”

Because of all her good work, Allen nominated Durham-Sanders to be a CASA Volunteer of the Month in CASA of Lexington’s seven-county region. She is Bourbon County’s first Volunteer of the Month of 2025.

All of the children Durham-Sanders has advocated for have come from families affected by substance misuse, Allen said.

Durham-Sanders said CASA volunteering is important work because the children are not responsible for the situations they are in.

“It’s worth getting involved to have an impact that will give them a better outcome in their life,” she said. “The reward of helping young people is a plus. I would definitely tell people to try it out.”

To serve as a CASA volunteer, you must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks and complete a 30-hour training class, available in-person or online. For more information, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer Emily Prince

Emily Prince is in her final year of law school, completing her change of careers from social work. But as she pursued her law degree, she also found herself missing the feeling of making a difference for children.

Then, she learned about CASA of Lexington, which enables volunteers to advocate for the needs of abused and neglected children.

“I figured CASA would be a good way to still make a difference in child welfare with the time that I had to spare,” she said.

Prince completed a 30-hour online training course led by Dennis Stutsman, a CASA Volunteer Manager and attorney who retired from the Kentucky Attorney General’s office. Then, Stutsman matched her with an abused child in the local family court system.

Prince has been visiting her CASA child monthly, digging through court records and writing reports for the judge on the case for about nine months now. And she is earning pro bono credit toward her law degree for doing it.

“Emily has done a tremendous job of examining the child’s history, removal from her biological parents, and substance misuse and possible abuse from the child’s grandparents,” Stutsman said. “Despite this past, her child is excelling in school, has plans for college, is bonded with the foster family, and feels safe in telling Emily what really happened to her.”

Prince said CASA fulfills her desire to continue helping children.

“I have absolutely loved building a relationship with my CASA kiddo,” she said. “It has been amazing to watch her thrive in the right environment and with the right types of supports. It has been an honor to advocate on her behalf in court and to make her voice heard.”

Prince said she encourages anyone considering becoming a CASA volunteer to do it.

“Children are our future,” she said. “The more we invest in children, the better the future will be for everyone.”

To serve as a CASA volunteer you must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks and complete CASA of Lexington’s 30-hour training class, which is offered in-person or online. If you are 20 years old, you can take the training class prior to turning 21. For more information, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA volunteer Meredith Feiertag

After Meredith Feiertag moved to central Kentucky, she began looking for a way to fulfill her desire to improve children’s wellbeing.

“A friend of mine was a volunteer with CASA and encouraged me to apply,” she said. “The chance to make a meaningful difference for and connection with kids facing a difficult situation appealed to me, and CASA offered an opportunity to do just that.”

Feiertag became a CASA advocate, someone who is matched with abused and neglected children and speaks up for what the children need. She teamed up with her Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman, and with his support has now advocated for 17 children over the past nearly four and a half years.

“Dennis has been such a crucial support to me over the years. He is a steady perspective when I am feeling unsure about what’s best to recommend,” she said. “He also always makes me feel trusted and will back me up.”

Each CASA volunteer gives about 5-10 hours a month to improve the life of a child. They visit the child monthly, talk to people involved in the child’s life and write reports that identify what the child’s needs are.

Every CASA volunteer is paired with a Volunteer Manager, a paid staff person with extensive training on the court system. Stutsman, Feiertag’s Volunteer Manager, said he appreciates her persistence in finding ways to make things better for her CASA kids.

“She makes careful recommendations, works diligently with biological parents who face major challenges, and writes solid reports,” Stutsman said. “After each case closure, she always examines how she made a difference and how she can get even better on her next case.”

Feiertag said serving as a CASA volunteer allows her to directly impact the futures of children who are facing some of the most difficult days of their lives while they are still very young.

“Advocating in court may seem intimidating at first, but seeing the passion that the judge has for understanding the situation and doing what’s best for the children makes it feel like a safe environment,” she said. “CASA is an essential part of the team.”

The central duty of each CASA volunteer is visiting their assigned child regularly.

“It’s important to me to meet kids where they are and care about whatever is important to them, whether it’s playing with their favorite toy, or asking about a school activity they mentioned to you on a previous visit, or reading a book they recommended,” she said. “It may seem little, but it demonstrates that they are important to you and helps build trust to talk about bigger things.”

Those bigger things can include the difficult situations children in family court cases face, such as severe abuse, poverty, substance misuse and medical neglect, Stutsman said.

Abused and neglected children have usually experienced multiple traumatic events, which puts them at far greater risk for things like substance misuse, homelessness and incarceration when they get older. They’re unfortunately also likely to struggle to regain safe, permanent homes as children.

But CASA volunteers can help combat those trends by identifying what children need and how to get it for them.

“Often, as a CASA, you are one of the only constants as a case moves through court. You are the most familiar with the history of the case. You help provide a complete picture and make sure important information isn’t overlooked,” Feiertag said. “Being a CASA is a longer commitment, but it is also one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities you can find.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, you can visit www.casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.

CASA volunteer Destin Mizelle

When Destin Mizelle learned how CASA volunteers can help abused and neglected children, he thought it sounded like a great opportunity to make a difference. He also worried about the time commitment.

“After a few months in the role, I realized it doesn’t feel like a burden at all,” he said. “In fact, I often invest more time than what is required each month because I genuinely enjoy working with the kids and ensuring their needs are met.”

Mizelle has been a CASA volunteer for close to a year. He is paired with a sibling set of teenage boys who have experienced numerous traumatic events.

“On paper, they look like a tricky bunch,” said Rebecca Brereton-Farr, Mizelle’s Volunteer Manager. “But in reality, and by Destin’s own observations, they are boys who are funny and smart and resilient and have ambitions.”

Mizelle began visiting the boys weekly and attending their athletic events at school.

“He is able to be the person that has important conversations with them, but does so as their support rather than as someone trying to reprimand them,” Brereton-Farr said. “He is someone they trust, and that is because he refuses to give up on them.”

Mizelle said he enjoys how each child he advocates for has unique needs, which keeps the work challenging and rewarding.

“My time as a CASA volunteer has been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “My favorite part of volunteering is working directly with the kids. They each bring a special kind of joy to this role, making every moment worthwhile.”

Mizelle said he prizes the deep connections he has built with the teens he advocates for. And he is happy he gets to ensure their voices are heard by the judge on their case.

“As I’ve gotten to know the kids and their situations, I’ve gained confidence and pride in my ability to advocate for them through court appearances and detailed court reports,” Mizelle said. “I feel well-supported by Rebecca, my Volunteer Manager, who ensures I’m always up-to-date on everything happening with my cases.”

Each CASA volunteer like Mizelle typically gives 5-10 hours a month, which is spent visiting their assigned child, gathering information about the child’s life and writing reports for the judge. CASA volunteers help get children and teens more services while their cases are open and work to ensure they return to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“There are countless children and families who need compassionate individuals willing to dedicate their time to giving back to their local communities,” Mizelle said. “CASA does an excellent job of pairing volunteers with the demographics they feel most comfortable working with, while ensureing they have the resources and support needed to meet the demands of the role.

“While volunteering hasn’t always been easy, my experience has shown me that it’s always worth it.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.

Lexington, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2025) – CASA of Lexington has been awarded a $64,000 grant to help with recruitment of volunteers in 2025. The grant comes from the National CASA Association.

“This grant will help boost our recruitment efforts and make CASA more visible to more people,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “The number of abused and neglected children in central Kentucky who do not currently have a CASA volunteer is growing. That means it’s more important now to find people who want to help these children.”

CASA volunteers are community members who are matched with abused or neglected children in the family court system. Each CASA volunteer visits their child monthly and identifies any unmet needs for the judge. CASA volunteers help ensure children get the services they need while their cases are open and that they return to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

The grant funding from the National CASA Association will enable CASA of Lexington to increase recruitment of new volunteers, which has become more difficult in recent years. It will also ensure more of the funds donated to CASA of Lexington go directly to serving children.

If you would like to become a CASA volunteer, you can learn more at www.casaoflexington.org. Each new CASA volunteer completes a 30-hour training class, then volunteers for typically 5-10 hours a month once they are matched with a child. In-person and online training classes are available for new volunteers.

CASA Volunteer Paige Slover

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 4, 2024) – Paige Slover was trying to solve a problem. A child, William, was having major difficulties adjusting to Kindergarten.

William, whose name is changed here for privacy, was a neglected child, and Slover was appointed as his CASA volunteer to advocate for his needs. That was lucky for David, because Slover is good at problem-solving.

“Paige is an excellent collaborator and team builder,” said Heather Porter, Slover’s Volunteer Manager at CASA of Lexington. “Paige organized a meeting with multiple school staff and administrators, David’s counseling provider, his social worker and family members to find solutions that would address his needs and set him up for future learning success.”

Because of her success in helping William, Slover has been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month for December.

Slover first learned about what CASA volunteers do three decades ago, when the national sorority she was working for, Kappa Alpha Theta, adopted CASA as its national philanthropy.

“I was hooked the moment I learned about what CASA does and decided I wanted to become a volunteer,” she said. “It took over 30 years for the stars to align to actually become a CASA volunteer. But I’m glad I never gave up on that goal.”

CASA volunteers are regular people who are matched with abused and neglected children in the family court system. Each volunteer visits their CASA child monthly, gathers information about the child’s life, helps improve communication among the people involved in the child’s life, and helps ensure the child’s needs are never overlooked.

“Of course, the best part about this job is being with the kids,” Slover said. “My approach is to just play with them and let them be kids. I genuinely have fun hanging out with them and I believe they sense that. Our time together always goes too fast.”

It takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer and all volunteers complete a 30-hour training class that prepares them for the work.

“I’d tell anyone contemplating being a CASA volunteer that it’s one of the most important jobs you could ever do,” Slover said. “It’s not easy. It’s not for everyone. But all you need is a kind and generous heart – and that’s about all!”

The next regional training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9 in Lexington, with classes on Thursday evenings and a pair of Saturdays. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer or fill out a volunteer application, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer Lindsay Medley

Lindsay Medley has been able to bring two families back together by serving as a CASA volunteer.

“I was able to see two children reunited with their hard-working mama after four long years,” she said. “And I was able to assist a grandmother in obtaining permanent custody of her newborn granddaughter.”

Those aren’t accomplishments most people can list. But Medley can because two years ago, she signed up to be a CASA volunteer.

As a CASA volunteer, she is matched with abused or neglected children in the local family court system who need someone to spend time with them and advocate for their best interests. The work takes about 5-10 hours a month to do. Medley said it’s worth it for the results she gets for kids.

“Being a CASA has been one of the most rewarding things in my life,” she said.

Medley produces reports about her CASA children that provide more detail than anyone else can. The reports can identify if children’s needs aren’t being met and offer recommendations on what actions would help the children the most.

In one of Medley’s cases, she discovered information that had never been presented before, even though the case had been going on for years before she was appointed. That information helped turn the course of the case, which resulted in the children returning to a safe, permanent home.

“I see the impact and the differences I am making in these children’s lives,” Medley said. “CASA volunteers are privileged to present information that otherwise would not be considered. We are the voice to those that have none.”

Because of her work for kids, Medley was named a CASA Volunteer of the Month for December.

In her day job, Medley works at the Lexington Senior Center. She also helps lead the Junior League of Lexington and is a dog mom to a puppy named Geronimo.

Medley’s work as a CASA volunteer is truly transformative for the lives of the children she serves, said Rebecca Brereton-Farr, Medley’s Volunteer Manager.

“Lindsay is not one to leave any stone un-turned when it comes to the best interests of the children,” Brereton-Farr said. “Her passion and dedication to our mission and being a CASA is clear in every court report, every court appearance, and everything else that she does.”

Medley encouraged others to consider becoming a CASA volunteer and investing a few hours a month to improve a child’s future.

“Your time means the world to these children,” she said.

For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer of the Month Autumn Grace

The boy hadn’t known Autumn Grace for long, but he already felt safe enough with her to ask if she wanted to stay for lunch, and what she would like to eat.

“That truly made me feel special, because it showed me he could identify that I truly cared about him and his siblings,” said Grace, a CASA volunteer who had been tasked with advocating for the best interests of the boy and his sister. She was on a home visit to get to know the children when the boy asked her to stay for lunch. “He didn’t mind that I had become a part of their lives.”

That moment is a memorable one for Grace, who has been serving as a CASA volunteer for a little more than a year. During that time, her work to help those children has been incredibly valuable, said Weida Allen, Grace’s Volunteer Manager with the Bourbon County CASA program.

“She has never missed a beat, checking in on her two little clients, spending time with them, answering their questions and just having fun being together,” Allen said. “She is an excellent volunteer and I am very proud that she is part of the Bourbon County crew.”

Allen nominated Grace for CASA Volunteer of the Month because of her dedication to the work.

CASA volunteers give 5 or more hours a month to help improve outcomes for children in the Bourbon County family court system. Each volunteer visits with their matched child at least monthly, gathers information about the child’s life, and provides reports that give the judge on the child’s case a much deeper understanding of the child’s situation and unique needs.

Kids who receive a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school and far less likely to re-enter the foster system after their cases close.

Making a difference for the most vulnerable kids is something Grace was already doing before she became a CASA volunteer. She discovered CASA through her work on the Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board, an organization that conducts reviews of family court cases.

“What stood out most was the dedication that CASA volunteers have to their families,” Grace said. “Then, I saw a story on LEX-18 one night, and I decided to apply.”

With support from Allen, Grace said her heart has been warmed as she has watched her CASA children grow.

“It is important to me that kids don’t fall between the cracks,” Grace said. “I appreciate the work CASA does for families. If you have some free time, do it! … CASA does a tremendous job of ensuring you have the tools needed and you aren’t alone. There is a full team behind you to offer support. This is rewarding work!”

Bourbon County’s CASA program can use more CASA volunteers to serve the dozens of children in Bourbon County’s family court system. Last year, there were enough volunteers to serve only about 30% of children with open cases.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, a regional in-person training class begins on Jan. 9, with classes on evenings and weekends in Lexington. Local in-person and online training classes can also be planned around participants’ schedules. For more information, email info@casaoflexington.org, call (859) 246-4313 or visit www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer of the Month Gretchen LaGodna

Over the past seven years and counting, Gretchen LaGodna has changed the lives of 16 abused and neglected children.

That may not sound like something the average person could do. But LaGodna is not a social worker, or an attorney, or any kind of professional working with vulnerable children. She is a CASA volunteer.

“No one should hesitate to become a CASA volunteer because they think they don’t have the right experience or background,” LaGodna said.

LaGodna has made a difference for so many kids by giving 5 or more hours a month to visit the children, gather information about their lives, and advocate for their best interests.

Kids who receive a CASA volunteer have usually suffered numerous traumas in their life — each one has suffered abuse or neglect and has an ongoing family court case. Many of the children do not have anyone who is consistently showing up.

“CASA volunteers can become that consistent person who gives a kid hope, who tells them they matter,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “Most importantly, CASA volunteers keep everyone else on the case focused on the child’s needs. That helps get better outcomes for kids.”

LaGodna’s Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins said LaGodna has advocated for a lot of different kids in a lot of different situations over her seven years as an advocate.

“She shows up and visits kids all over the state. She has built truly long-lasting relationships with her CASA kids,” Adkins said. “Some have been adopted, some have returned to their parents, some have gone to live with relatives. A few have aged out — turned 18. She has maintained contact with nearly every one of those families and kids.”

Adkins said at the end of a recent case for LaGodna, her CASA child got adopted. At the adoption, the child told LaGodna, “You’re not going anywhere! You’re going to be in my life forever.”

LaGodna said it is a privilege to be able to share in her CASA children’s lives and help them overcome the challenges they face.

“I urge anyone with an interest in children and a loving heart to consider becoming a CASA volunteer,” she said.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, a regional in-person training class begins on Jan. 9, with classes on evenings and weekends in Lexington. Online training classes can also be planned around participants’ schedules. For more information, email info@casaoflexington.org, call (859) 246-4313 or visit www.casaoflexington.org.