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.

Woodford County community members and Lakeshore Learning employees signed up to brighten the holidays for 41 abused and neglected children during Thursday’s Woodford County CASA Angel Tree event.

“The children on this tree deserve to have a wonderful Christmas,” said Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay. “They deserve it more than most because they’ve been through so much.”

Envelopes with the wish lists of the children decorated the CASA Angel Tree in a conference room on the factory floor of Lakeshore Learning. Each child is involved in a family court case and has a CASA volunteer, who advocates for their best interests.

Woodford County Family Court Judge Joe Fooks said he likes getting CASA reports because they let him understand the children much better and they identify things that others on the case may not think of. CASA volunteers help get better outcomes in big and small ways for kids, he said.

“We really appreciate everything CASA does,” Fooks said. “And I really appreciate everything that the community does to list up an organization like this.”

Attendees picked the envelopes from the tree so they could then go shopping for gifts for each child. Once they bring back the gifts, Woodford CASA volunteers will deliver them to each child’s caretakers in time for the holidays.

"We are here today to light the CASA Angel Tree and bring some much-needed light and happiness to children who have suffered more in their few short years than many of us will in our lifetime,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of the Woodford County CASA program.

This was the sixth year for the CASA Angel Tree program in Woodford County, and Lakeshore Learning has hosted every year. Over the first five years, participants provided gifts for 122 children. This year’s participants are now shopping for gifts for another 41.

CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children. They visit the children monthly, gather information about their lives and provide reports that help the judge and others involved better understand each child’s needs and what would be best for them.

It takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. Jamison said Woodford County has more CASA volunteers now than it has ever had before, but there are still children without a CASA volunteer.

In 2023, Woodford CASA volunteers served 26 kids. Through the first nine months of 2024, there had been 41 new cases of child abuse and neglect in Woodford County.

“We want you to just show up for these kids,” Jamison said.

The next regional in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9, with classes on evenings and weekends in Lexington. A full schedule is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training. Online classes are also available; you can inquire about those trainings by emailing info@casaoflexington.org.

For more information about the CASA Angel Tree program, visit www.casaoflexington.org/angeltree.

A crowd gathered at First Southern National Bank in Lancaster Wednesday morning to kick off the holiday season by lighting the CASA Angel Tree and providing gifts for abused and neglected children. 

This was the third year for the CASA Angel Tree program in Garrard County. The community provided gifts for 40 children over the first two years, and 24 more children were on this year’s tree. Children on the tree have open family court cases and are served by CASA volunteers, who visit them regularly and advocate for their best interests. 

"We are so excited to be here today to light the CASA angel tree and bring some much-needed joy and happiness to children who have suffered more in their few short years than many of us will in our entire lifetimes,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of Garrard County’s CASA program. 

People chose children’s names from the tree and received their wish lists so they could go shopping for gifts for them. Participants will bring the gifts back to CASA’s Garrard County office inside Lancaster City Hall or First Southern, and CASA volunteers will then deliver them to the children’s caretakers in time to be wrapped for Christmas or any other holiday being celebrated in the home. 

First Southern Community President David Grigson said the bank was very excited to host the CASA Angel Tree again this year. “It means a lot to us,” he said. 

CASA Board Member Jonathan Shell, who is Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture, also spoke, encouraging attendees to go beyond purchasing gifts for kids on the tree and sign up to become CASA volunteers. 

"You just have to show up for these kids,” he said of the CASA volunteer role. “If you are here and you have a heart for these kids, or you know somebody who does, we're always looking for volunteers." 

Jamison said Garrard County’s incredible support of its CASA program led to it being the fastest growing program for its population size in the state. But there are not currently enough CASA volunteers for all the children who could benefit from having one. 

"I’d like you ask yourself, ‘Do you have five hours a month to just show up to change a child's life, or even potentially save it?’" she said. 

The next regional in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9, with classes on evenings and weekends in Lexington. A full schedule is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training. Online and in-person classes in Lancaster are also available; you can inquire about those trainings by emailing info@casaoflexington.org.  

For more information about the CASA Angel Tree program, visit www.casaoflexington.org/angeltree.

A crowd of more than 60 people gathered at Dan Cummins of Paris Tuesday morning to kick off the holiday season by lighting the CASA Angel Tree and providing gifts for abused and neglected children.

And for the fourth year in a row, Josh Cummins announced that his family’s dealership would be donating $100,000 to provide CASA volunteers — funds raised by taking a small amount from every purchase of a new vehicle through Dan Cummins.

“CASA is one of the greatest causes that we have,” Josh Cummins said. “It’s something that’s a fabric of this company.”

The gift represents roughly the cost of providing a year of advocacy services to 100 children in central Kentucky.

This was the eighth year for the CASA Angel Tree program in Bourbon County. The community provided gifts for 384 children over the first seven years, and 43 more children were on this year’s tree. Children on the tree have open family court cases and are served by CASA volunteers, who visit them regularly and advocate for their best interests.

"We are so excited to be here today to light the CASA angel tree and bring some much-needed joy and happiness to children who have suffered more in their few short years than many of us will in our entire lifetimes,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of Bourbon County’s CASA program.

People chose children’s names from the tree and received their wish lists so they could go shopping for gifts for them. Participants will bring the gifts back to CASA’s Bourbon County office or the Dan Cummins dealership, and CASA volunteers will then deliver them to the children’s caretakers in time to be wrapped for Christmas or any other holiday being celebrated in the home.

Bourbon County Family Court Judge Joe Fooks also spoke at the event, which was also attended by Bourbon County Judge-Executive Mike Williams, Paris Mayor John Plummer, Paris City Manager Jamie Miller and Paris City Clerk and Treasurer Stephanie Settles.

Fooks said he is proud of how involved the Bourbon County community is in supporting CASA services, which help him get better outcomes for kids in family court.

“You don’t have great organizations without a great community,” Fooks said. “And I think that’s a reflection of our community.”

Jamison said there are not currently enough CASA volunteers for all the children who could benefit from having one.

“If you have 5-10 hours a month to volunteer and a heart for helping children, we need you to show up for these kids,” she said.

The next in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9 and a full schedule is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training. Online training classes are available, as well.

For more information about the CASA Angel Tree program, visit www.casaoflexington.org/angeltree.

A crowd gathered at the Bluebird in Stanford Monday morning to light the CASA Angel Tree and help brighten the holidays for abused and neglected Lincoln County children.

“We are here today to light this CASA Angel Tree and bring some much-needed light and happiness to children, many of whom have suffered more in their few short years of life than many of us will in our lifetimes,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of Lincoln County’s CASA program.

Children on the tree have open family court cases and are served by CASA volunteers, who visit them regularly and advocate for their best interests. There were 15 Lincoln County children on the CASA Angel Tree this year, and attendees selected all of them during the event.

Attendees who chose a child’s wish list from the tree will now go shopping for gifts for them. The gifts will be brought back to the CASA office in downtown Stanford. Then, CASA volunteers will deliver them to the children’s caretakers in time to be wrapped for Christmas or any other holiday being celebrated in the home.

In the first two years of the Lincoln County CASA Angel Tree program, community members have purchased gifts for 40 children. Once all children on this year’s tree get their gifts, that number will be 55.

Jamison said there are still many more children in Lincoln County’s family court system who do not have a CASA volunteer. She encouraged anyone with a heart for helping kids in need to consider becoming a CASA volunteer.

The next regional in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9 in Lexington and a full schedule is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training. Online training classes are also available, and in-person trainings for volunteers in Garrard and Lincoln counties are scheduled throughout the year.

For more information about the CASA Angel Tree program, visit www.casaoflexington.org/angeltree.

MORE INFO

If you would like more information about the CASA program in Lincoln County or if you would like to become a volunteer and change the trajectory of a child’s life, you can email info@casaoflexington.org or call the Lincoln County CASA office at (606) 442-1355.

McBrayer Law Firm Managing Member James H. Frazier III high-fives CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison during the 2024 Fayette County CASA Angel Tree lighting at McBrayer.

Dozens of people from the Lexington community came to downtown Lexington Friday to get an early start on the holiday season by lighting the CASA Angel Tree.

Lexington Vice Mayor Dan Wu, who serves as a CASA volunteer, had the official honor of lighting the tree at McBrayer Law Firm, which has hosted the lighting all 21 years it has happened. The event gives people a way to brighten the end of the year for abused and neglected children who need someone to buy them gifts.

Children on the tree have open family court cases and are served by CASA volunteers, who visit them regularly and advocate for their best interests.

“We are here today to light this CASA Angel Tree and bring some much-needed light and happiness to children, many of whom have suffered more in their few short years of life than many of us will in our lifetimes,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington.

People chose children’s names from the tree and received their wish lists so they could go shopping for gifts for them. The gifts will be brought to CASA of Lexington, and CASA volunteers will then deliver them to the children’s caretakers in time to be wrapped for Christmas or any other holiday being celebrated in the home.

James H. Frazier III, Managing Member of McBrayer, said the law firm involves itself in many charitable causes, but CASA tops the list.

“It means a lot to everybody,” he said. “We have 222 envelopes on the tree this year. Let’s show up.”

Wu said he wound up going through training and becoming a CASA volunteer at the same time he was elected to office. He was concerned about having too much on his plate, but he found the time commitment of 5-10 hours a month for a CASA volunteer to be “very manageable.”

Wu said the children CASA volunteers serve are facing a lot of challenges and often don’t have someone showing up consistently and always being in their corner.

“Our job as CASAs is really just to be there, to show up, to be there for that kid,” he said.

In the first 20 years of the Fayette County CASA Angel Tree program, community members have purchased gifts for 2,481 children. Once all children on this year’s tree get their gifts, that number will be 2,703.

Jamison said that’s a remarkable achievement by the Fayette County community. She pointed out that almost 900 Fayette children suffered known abuse or neglect in 2023, the county is on-track to see an increase in that number in 2024.

There are currently only enough CASA volunteers to serve about 20% of children in the system. Jamison encouraged anyone with a heart for helping kids in need to consider becoming a CASA volunteer.

The next in-person training class for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9 and a full schedule is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training. Online training classes are available, as well.

For more information about the CASA Angel Tree program, visit www.casaoflexington.org/angeltree.

CASA Volunteer Rachel Davidson-Stebbins

Paris, Ky. – After she moved to Paris from Texas in the midst of the pandemic, Rachel Davidson-Stebbins was looking for a way to do her part for her community.

“My husband and I had been talking about feeling like we were not meeting our civic duties as responsible citizens and how we could change that,” she said. “And I have this rule that I should not try to save world, but rather I should focus on helping those right in front of me.”

Davidson-Stebbins found the perfect way to fulfill her desire to give back: by serving as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.

“CASA was the perfect solution to meeting those two metrics – civic duty  and local impact,” she said. “In that spirit, it has absolutely been worth my time.”

As a CASA volunteer, Davidson-Stebbins is matched with an abused or neglected child in the family court system. She visits with the child regularly and collects information about what’s going on in their life. Then, she provides that information in reports to the judge on the child’s case.

CASA reports help judges order the services that children need and keep the focus on getting children back into safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Davidson-Stebbins has advocated for two children since she started volunteering about a year and a half ago. This month, her Volunteer Manager Weida Allen nominated her to receive a Volunteer of the Month award.

“Rachel is an excellent volunteer. Her court reports are written with great care and completeness,” Allen said. “Rachel understands what her goals are as a CASA volunteer.”

CASA volunteers often build relationships with children who have lived through multiple traumatic experiences — and they may encounter more trauma before their cases close. Davidson-Stebbins said she initially worried about how she would handle the rough situations that CASA kids are sometimes in.

“One of my weaknesses is that I fall in love easily, so I was worried about the emotional labor of doing this work,” she said. “But our job is pretty narrow and that helps maintain objectivity. Your only client is the child and advocating to the judge what is in their best interests. If you can do the advocacy work well, then you have successfully played your part in improving a situation not of your own making.”

Last year in Bourbon County, there were 76 children who were abused or neglected, and likely around 150 children with open family court cases. CASA volunteers were available to serve 46 of those children.

Davidson-Stebbins said she would encourage anyone looking for a way to improve their community to become a CASA volunteer and help Bourbon County kids.

“Just do it. Take the plunge,” she said. “There is a lot of breadth in the types of cases and you will be the perfect fit for enough of those that you can make an impact.”

CASA Volunteer Linda Baker

Lancaster, Ky. – Linda Baker is always looking for a way to help her community. She is working with the Garrard County Homeless Coalition, she serves on the Garrard-Lincoln Early Childhood Coalition advisory board and she’s involved with United Way projects, among many other pursuits.

She is also a CASA volunteer — one of Garrard County’s best, in fact. This October, she has been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month for the seven-county CASA region that includes Garrard County.

“People ask me all the time, ‘Why do you do CASA?’ I say because I hope I’m doing good for a child,” Baker said. “If I can help one child in my life and make a difference, that’s what I want to do.”

Baker is helping more than one child. She is a volunteer advocate for two children stuck in the local family court system. As a CASA volunteer, she visits the children regularly, developing a relationship with them and giving them hope. She also provides reports to Family Court Judge Jeff Moss, which helps him make more informed decisions that benefit the children.

Baker said even though she’s known Moss a long time, “the first time I went to court, I was shaking in my shoes. I didn’t really know what to expect.”

But Baker’s Volunteer Manager Jennifer Lamb was sitting next to her when her children’s case was called.

“Jennifer said, ‘Would you like me to go up with you?’ I said yes, so she stood next to me and was there for me,” Baker said. “The second time I went, Jennifer asked again. This time, I said, ‘No, I’m fine now.”

Lamb nominated Baker for Volunteer of the Month because of how much good she is accomplishing for her CASA children.

“Linda is a rock star advocate,” Lamb said. “She believes in our mission and has been wonderful at getting the word out that we need advocates in Garrard and Lincoln counties. She works tirelessly to help promote CASA’s work and I will always be grateful she listened to her heart and became a CASA advocate.”

Baker said among other things, she has helped the children with homework, let one of the kids play jokes on her, taught them about being polite — and given them hugs every time her visits are over.

Initially, the children were shy when she visited, but Baker said they warmed up to her as she kept showing up and being a positive, consistent presence for them.

“It has been so rewarding to me to see the kids come around,” she said. “It has maybe even been more rewarding for me than it has been for the kids.”

The CASA of Lexington Fall Festival last week celebrated all of CASA volunteers in CASA of Lexington’s seven counties and the amazing work they do for abused and neglected children.

CASA volunteers and their families enjoyed a free cookout with games, gifts, awards and prizes.

“Each CASA volunteer improves the lives of more than two children every year on average,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of the nonprofit. “They are dedicated coming up with solutions to tough problems and making sure these kids get the best possible outcomes. They deserve a whole lot more thanks than we can ever give them!”

Bourbon County CASA volunteer Judy Kendall was honored with the Debbie LaBoone Volunteer of the Year Award. Kendall, who is retiring from CASA work this year, was Bourbon County’s first CASA volunteer and has advocated for nine children since 2017.

In Kendall’s final CASA case, she was matched with a teen girl whom no one had been able to connect with. Through her visits with the girl, Kendall forged a bond that will continue long after she is no longer the girl’s official CASA volunteer.

“The difference for so many children is having that one person who believes in them, who gives them hope, and who stands up for their needs when no one else does,” Jamison said.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of Debbie LaBoone, a CASA of Lexington volunteer who advocated for five children over two years, before passing away from cancer. LaBoone’s husband remains a strong supporter of the organization his wife loved.

Here are the rest of the annual awards presented at the Fall Festival:  

-          Most Miles Driven: Susan Bukowski (3,122 to date)

-          Above and Beyond for Continuing Education: Priscilla Miller and Linda Baker

-          Above and Beyond for a New Volunteer: Brenna Cain

-          Above and Beyond for a Veteran Volunteer: Ute Keathley

-          Above and Beyond for a Friend of CASA: Cassie Bottoms

-          Excellent Advocacy: Anne Jones, Kellye Cole and Barbara Phipps

-          Exemplary Court Reporting: Kelly Sampson

-          Compassionate Connection Award: Charlene Floyd

To learn more about CASA volunteering or make a donation, visit www.casaoflexington.org.

Family Court Judge Jeff Moss swears in the newest CASA volunteers serving Lincoln and Garrard counties, Megan Huston and Tahitiana Chaffin.

Lincoln and Garrard counties added two more CASA volunteers this month, as the local CASA program continues to grow at a remarkable rate.

Tahitiana Chaffin and Megan Huston were sworn in by Family Court Judge Jeff Moss last week, after they completed their training. The two can now be matched with children in the local family court system who need someone to speak up for their best interests.

Moss said CASA volunteers can help transform the outcomes of cases for kids, in large part because they provide regular perspectives and information about kids' daily lives that can often be missing from court hearings.

"CASA gives me what I feel like is a common-sense perspective," he said. "My case workers all have more cases than their recommended case loads. And CASA volunteers typically get one case."

Last year in Lincoln and Garrard counties, there were 240 children who suffered abuse or neglect. Those children get thrown into the family court system, where attorneys, parents, social workers and judges work to decide what should happen with them.

Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers visit with the children in these cases and get to know them usually better than anyone else in the courtroom. They speak up for what the children need and prevent them from falling through the cracks.

"We are so happy to be adding two more CASA volunteers for Lincoln and Garrard kids," said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of the CASA program. "We served 34 kids with 21 advocates last year, and we are only going to grow from there."

CASA volunteers spend about 5-10 hours per month visiting their children, learning about their lives and writing court reports. Children who receive a CASA volunteer receive more services, do better in school and are more likely to return to safe, permanent homes.

If you would like to become a CASA volunteer, you can call the Lincoln and Garrard CASA office at (606) 442-1355 or learn more by visiting www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA Volunteer Cristy Lester-Dunn

Cristy Lester-Dunn is not someone who looks away when something is wrong. She looks straight at the problem and does whatever she can to fix it.

That’s why she serves on multiple boards focused on child advocacy, legislation and community initiatives. She believes in being involved in making her community better and modeling that belief for others.

That’s why she serves as a CASA volunteer, advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the local family court system.

“Not every child goes home from school to a welcoming household. Not every child goes home to a hot meal. Not every child resides in a safe environment,” Lester-Dunn said. “It is all of our responsibility to support and protect all children, because they are our future.”

Lester-Dunn began serving as a CASA volunteer in the middle of the pandemic. She has now advocated for five children in almost four years doing the important work. She is a CASA Volunteer of the Month for September because of her dedication to the children in a particularly difficult case.

“Cristy must not get motion sick, because we have gone through this roller-coaster ride at high speed and she hasn’t gotten off,” said Rebecca Brereton-Farr, her Volunteer Manager.

Volunteer Managers are full-time CASA staff who provide guidance and support to their CASA volunteers. The volunteers each spend roughly 5-10 hours a month visiting their CASA children, learning about their children’s lives and writing reports that give everyone on the case a much better understanding of what the children need.

“Cristy has experienced heartbreak in this case, but even in those hard times, she turns to me and says, ‘But here is what we do for them next. Here is how we move forward for the children,” Brereton-Farr said. “She shows nothing but resilience and determination to do what is best for the children at all times.”

Lester-Dunn said she volunteers because children in the family court system face so much uncertainty and trauma.

“By volunteering, I can offer them stability, support, and a caring presence during a challenging time in their lives,” she said. “I take my presence in court advocating for these children seriously and I do what I can to not only make recommendations, but to encourage others to feel what the child is feeling.”

In CASA of Lexington’s service area, there are currently only enough CASA volunteers for about one out of every five abused or neglected children in the system. Those who receive a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school and return to safe, permanent homes that do not disrupt again.

Lester-Dunn said the decision to become a CASA volunteer is not one to take lightly. But she hopes people remember there are children right now who do not have a voice, whose needs are being over-looked.

“Put yourself in their shoes. Consider the impact there would be if someone would speak up for you,” she said. “A drop of hope makes ripples that can change a life. If you have that passion and you want to make a difference, give it a try. CASA offers a lot of support to our volunteers.”

To become a CASA volunteer, you can apply at www.casaoflexington.org. Every new CASA volunteer completes a 30-hour training course and background checks before being assigned to a child’s case. Trainings are offered in-person and virtually regularly throughout the year.

CASA Volunteer Susan Bukowski

It took a while before Susan Bukowski was in the right place in her life to become a CASA volunteer. But now that she is, she has discovered a volunteer experience with depth, which enables her to have a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children.

Bukowski first learned about CASA volunteers years ago, when a volunteer spoke about their experiences at a local trivia night event.

“I listened to the volunteer who spoke, but I couldn’t see myself in court,” she said.

CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children in family court cases. They visit and develop friendships with the children, then provide a regular person’s perspective on the child’s life for the judge and others on the case. CASA volunteers help ensure their children’s needs are being met and that everyone is focused on getting them back into safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Fast-forward to 2022 and Bukowski had more free time on her hands and was looking for a meaningful volunteer position.

“My faith is what truly pushed me to move forward with this,” she said.

As she began CASA volunteer training, Bukowski said she was unsure how she would build relationships with the children. But after the training and with the support of her Volunteer Manager, she has found success repeatedly in connecting with the kids she serves.

“I have built relationships with three teens while serving for the past 16 months,” she said. “As a CASA, you start caring about these kids and want the best for them despite difficult circumstances. I love being an advocate for them, hoping for their best futures.”

Heather Porter was Bukowski’s Volunteer Manager on her most recent case. She nominated Bukowski to receive a Volunteer of the Month honor this September because of her hard work.

“Susan’s honest, direct approach and continual presence has helped her build trust and connection with teens. She meets the kids where they are and encourages them according to their needs,” Porter said. “This direct but empathetic approach has also helped her collaborate with social workers and foster parents to effectively advocate for the kids’ needs in court.”

Bukowski said she loves the support she receives from Porter and the rest of the CASA staff because it has helped her be effective in her volunteer role.

“This volunteer position is so much more than filling backpacks or working at the local food pantry — not that those aren’t volunteer-worthy. I was looking for something with a little more depth,” Bukowski said. “If you are an adult and want to make a difference in a child’s life, this is the place to volunteer. You will receive training and will always have a Volunteer Manager as your resource. It is truly a rewarding experience and so many kids need us!”

CASA Volunteer Cindy Budek

Cindy Budek spent 40 years working with kids as a pediatric nurse practitioner at a hospital in Chicago. She dedicated her career to helping kids, including those with complex problems.

Now that she has retired and moved to Lexington, Ky., she is still helping kids in a different way: as a CASA volunteer.

The hours are much easier – it takes just five to 10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. But she can still change the course of a child’s life by being a consistent presence in their life and advocating for their needs.

“I wanted to try and find something to keep me busy and to use the skills I have. And I just really wanted to still be in contact with kids and their families,” Budek said. “I have so enjoyed being a CASA volunteer. I’m just starting my second case now.”

On Budek’s first case, she got to witness a child being reunified with her mom.

“It was just a beautiful experience seeing her mom do a 180 and get her life together,” she said. “I think in court, they were ready to give her a standing ovation for working so hard to bring her daughter back home.”

Budek visited the girl monthly and provided reports to the judge while that case was going on. Those reports ensured the judge knew what was going on in the girl’s life and verified that the mom really was turning things around.

“Knowing that hopefully, I am changing the course of a child’s life and giving them the opportunity to be able to grow and mature and be able to contribute to their family and their community is amazing,” Budek said. “Unless we intervene, things are going to be really difficult for these kids.”

Social workers and attorneys who work family court cases all have large numbers of cases at the same time and very limited time to dedicate to any one child. A CASA volunteer can focus on an individual child and often provide a level of detail about their life that no one else can.

Budek’s Volunteer Manager, Kyrsten Adkins, said she has now matched Budek with a new case that involves sifting through medical records to understand the children’s needs. Budek’s background as a pediatric nurse has made her the ideal volunteer for the case.

“She is a newer volunteer who has hit the ground running and is knocking it out of the park,” Adkins said.

Budek said serving as a CASA volunteer is very rewarding and she loves the support of Adkins and others who make it easier to do the work.

“You don’t know what your childhood experience is going to be,” she said. “I feel so blessed that I was in a family where I didn’t have to worry about food or getting to school, and I felt loved and supported. I just want to try to have as many other kids experience that as possible and know there’s someone out there who cares and wants them to succeed and have a great childhood.”

CASA Volunteer Michael Raulinaitis

Michael Raulinaitis is a single dad with two daughters, who have grown up into a nurse and a physical therapist. He works at the Toyota plant in Georgetown and likes to walk to the farmers market when he’s home in downtown Lexington.

A few years ago, he was looking for a way to do something that gave back to the community. He knew that life could be rough for kids when their home life is in disarray. Then, serendipity struck: He visited a booth at Lexington Comic Con promoting the local CASA program.

“It was then that I realized I had found a cause that fit for me,” he said.

As a CASA volunteer, Raulinaitis is matched with abused or neglected children. He visits the children monthly, gathers information about their lives, and provides reports that help get better outcomes for the children.

“I have seen kids go through the court system without a CASA or a voice,” he said. “I now see the impact that I have being an advocate for the kids.”

Raulinaitis has done great work for his current CASA kids – siblings in foster care whose future is uncertain as their parent struggles with substance misuse. Raulinaitis’ Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins said he works collaboratively with the others on the case and has always been a strong voice for whatever would be in the children’s best interests.

“He has worked many cases and he is a great volunteer,” Adkins said. “He is not afraid to speak up for these kids. He is exceeding all expectations.”

Raulinaitis said he puts a lot of his efforts into building strong relationships with the children he serves.

“In all of my cases, the kids are shy at first, but when they realize you are coming to visit them and see how they are doing, they really grow to appreciate that,” he said. “With the older children, they cannot believe that I am visiting as a volunteer because I want to help and support them.”

It takes about 5-10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. Every volunteer completes a 30-hour training class before they are matched with a child, and they are guided by a Volunteer Manager like Adkins every step of the way.

“I am blessed to be in a position where I can help and give back to some in the community who need the most help,” Raulinaitis said. “If you have any interest, go through the extensive CASA training to really understand what is needed to be a volunteer. At that point, make a decision whether it is right for you.”

New CASA Volunteers are sworn in by Family Court Judge Tiffany Yahr.

CASA of Lexington is welcoming eight new volunteers following its summer training class. These eight people will soon be matched with abused or neglected children in the family court system and begin advocating for those children’s best interests.

The graduates of the 2024 summer training class are Pat Bennett, Pat Dugger, Denise Henderson, Luke Murray, Jamacia Neal, John Overing, Katie Strayer and Jay Sudkamp.

“We are so excited to have you as part of the team!” said CASA Executive Director Melynda Jamison at a swearing in ceremony for the class. “We are out of volunteers in Fayette County, so the need is great. We need volunteers in every county but we’ve had to tell the judges here in Fayette, ‘No more cases until we get more volunteers sworn in.’”

Last year, 297 individuals served as CASA volunteers through CASA of Lexington, providing hope and advocacy for 681 abused and neglected children. So far in 2024, another 30 people have completed training. Those 30 may improve the future for as many as 75 children during their first year as CASA volunteers.

Family Court Judge Tiffany Yahr swore in some of the new volunteers. She told them that as they begin visiting their CASA children and getting to know them, they will learn about some heartbreaking situations.

“But at the same time, you’re going to see some really great things,” she said. “You’re going to see some families get a lot of healing and some kiddos that get good placements.”

Yahr said she regularly sees CASA volunteers improve the outcomes for children.

“A lot of times, I get advocates that tell me things the social workers didn’t know, or give me a completely different perspective on a kiddo,” she said. “That information is so valuable. The more that I know, the more I can make informed decisions.”

CASA of Lexington is enrolling new volunteers for its fall training class now. That class begins on Sept. 3, with classes on evenings and weekends in September and October. You can view the training schedule here, learn more about CASA volunteers here or apply to become a CASA volunteer here.

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CASA Volunteer Kelly Pack

As a child, Kelly Pack was a “state child” — she was briefly in foster care, then looked after by a relative.

“I know the system can fail people. It failed me,” she said. “That almost cost me my life. So I vowed to never allow that to happen to any child if I could help it.”

Pack’s cousin told her about CASA — a volunteer program that makes it possible for regular people to make a real difference for abused and neglected children. Pack signed up, went through the training, and now she helps children who were in the same situation she was as a child.

“The kids you encounter during your cases are incredible. The resilience in some children just amazes me every day,” Pack said. “The best part of the whole experience is the relationships you make. The relationships with the children; the relationships with the parents; the relationships with the lawyers and judges.”

Every CASA volunteer goes through a 30-hour training class that prepares them to be an advocate. They also get a Volunteer Manager who helps them every step of the way as they visit their child, gather information and write reports.

“My Volunteer Manager is wonderful. Any time I have any questions, she is a phone call away,” Pack said. “CASA is worth your time because it not only helps you learn new skills and helps you build confidence, but it also allows you to change a kid’s life.”

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison said Pack has advocated for two children since she was sworn in as a CASA volunteer in June 2023.

“Kelly is a fantastic friend and advocate for the children she serves,” Jamison said. “Her lived experience gives her a valuable perspective and makes her even more effective at finding positive outcomes for kids.”

If you would like to make a difference for a child in foster care by serving as a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org to learn more.

Kathy Edwards has advocated for six children during two years as a CASA volunteer

CASA Volunteer Kathy Edwards

Kathy Edwards is the kind of person who understands the value of teamwork. She also likes it when she can make a real difference in the world.

So when Edwards learned from a close friend about just how bad the problem of child abuse and neglect is in Kentucky, she wanted to be part of a team working to make things better.

“Hearing about the sheer volume of neglect and abuse cases was staggering, and the caseload for social workers overwhelming,” she said.

Edwards already knew about the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program because some of her co-workers were already volunteers through Lexmark’s Volunteer Time Off program. She signed up for CASA training and quickly learned just how effective the CASA program can be.

“As a CASA, I can focus on one case and one outcome. A 10-minute call to the school or doctor’s office can suddenly become the last piece of information needed to set a new course for child’s case,” she said. “More than any nonprofit I’ve been involved with, I know my time is making a direct and immediate impact on the lives of these kids.”

CASA volunteers like Edwards are matched with abused and neglected children in the family court system. Each volunteer visits their child monthly, talks with others in the child’s life, and writes reports that give everyone on the case the information they need to help the child.

“Developing relationships and building trust with the children in each case is critical to understanding their needs and knowing how best to advocate for them,” Edwards said. “The same can be said for establishing trust with social workers and attorneys. Getting good outcomes for kids is often a team effort.”

Edwards’ Volunteer Manager Rebecca Brereton-Farr said Edwards has been instrumental in uncovering information and finding ways to get better outcomes for the children on her current CASA case.

“I truly believe that the direction this case takes will be because of Kathy’s undivided attention to the best interests and needs of the children,” Brereton-Farr said. “She has been incredible to work with and her hard work deserves to be recognized.”

Edwards said she is amazed at how much of a difference she can make as a CASA volunteer.

“If people knew that could help a child return to a permanent, nurturing home faster just by being involved, most wouldn’t hesitate,” she said. “I cannot say enough about the CASA mission, its staff or the training I received! The reward is far greater than I ever expected.”

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

Garrard County’s first ever Farm to Fork gala will be held at the newly opened LockRidge Park in Lancaster on June 29.

The locally-sourced night of fun begins at 5:30 p.m. when the Farm to Fork market opens and music by Stoner Creek Shakedown begins. The event features a buffet of delicious food, entirely sourced from local businesses; giveaways; and a performance by the Kentucky Bluegrass Cloggers.

The menu for the buffet includes brisket from Marksbury Farms; buns, BBQ and pickles from Tallulah Farm; corn and sliced tomatoes from Vegetable Man Produce; butter from Boone Creek Creamery; pasta salad from Noodle Craft Company; ice cream from Taylor Belle’s; and cookies from Sugar Shack.

Tickets are $75 or $600 for a table of eight. Proceeds from this event benefit the CASA program serving abused and neglected children in Garrard and Lincoln counties.

This event is a partnership of the Kentucky Proud program, Garrard County Farmers Market, the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce and the Garrard/Lincoln CASA program.

Kayla Pelphrey bonded with her CASA kids, bringing some fun and consistency into their lives

Kids’ artworks hanging on the wall in Kayla Pelphrey’s office.

The art that hangs on the wall of Kayla Pelphrey’s office isn’t by anyone famous. It isn’t worth a lot of money. But it does represent an investment in the future.

Pelphrey’s office art was created by her CASA children: kids in the family court system who have suffered abuse or neglect.

“When I walk into my little office every day and see the coloring book pages and notes I’ve hung in my corner from visits, I think about the little smiles that created them,” Pelphrey said. “Those soft little smiles are something I know I’ve helped grow into great big happy grins of excitement — despite the situation at hand.”

Pelphrey has been a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for six different children since 2022. She visits the children she is matched with regularly, getting to know them often better than anyone else assigned to the case.

Pelphrey provides a regular person’s perspective that is often lacking in court cases, which enables the judge to make more informed decisions that focus on what the children need.

“Being a CASA volunteer is one of the best things you can get involved in,” Pelphrey said. “It not only allows you to be a support for kiddos and have some fun, but sheds light on your community — the good, bad and ugly. Getting involved, understanding, and listening are the first steps to make any kind of change.”

Pelphrey is supported in her work as a CASA advocate by her Volunteer Manager Rebecca Brereton-Farr.

CASA Volunteer of the Month Kayla Pelphrey

Brereton-Farr said Pelphrey is a natural at engaging with the children she is serving. With one group of siblings, Pelphrey brought a stuffed toy dog to the first visit. They named the dog “Muffin” and Pelphrey told them the dog would come back for every visit, bringing along photos of what it got up to in between.

“The kids fell in love with Muffin and would run to play and cuddle with him when Kayla arrived for visits,” Brereton-Farr said. “She would tell them the stories of her adventures and show pictures.

“Kayla followed through on every visit and provided consistency, fun, and attention. At every visit, the kids would run to see and hug Kayla, with Muffin coming in a close second for hugs! And their smiles would grow bigger and more genuine with every visit.”

Pelphrey said she believes every child deserves to have positive experiences that stick with them into their adulthood.

“That’s something I always had growing up and something everyone deserves,” she said. “If I can have any little piece of helping to make that a reality for someone, it is time well spent!”

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