June Volunteers of the Month: Debbie Schumacher and Judy Papania

A relatively new volunteer and a veteran volunteer with more than six years of service have been chosen as our Volunteers of the Month for June.

Debbie Schumacher

Debbie Schumacher is still in her first year of service as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate in Woodford County. But she has already made a significant impact for children in the Woodford family court system.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges in order to provide an outside perspective on what children involved in family court cases need. They often identify gaps in services and recommend changes to help improve children’s lives.

Debbie’s volunteer manager Jeanne Box said Debbie works quickly to meet with medical providers, teachers, counselors and others, in order to give the judge a good sense of each child’s needs.

Debbie said she is one of four or five members of St. Andrews Anglican Church who have become CASA volunteers since Box introduced them to the program.

“I really like getting to know the children that I’m involved with, as well as the parents,” Debbie said.

Her cases have so far not involved any extreme instances of abuse or neglect, as some CASA cases do. But Debbie said she’s been happy to discover that she can make a big difference for children regardless of their situation.

“I think it just points to how CASA is involved in a whole range of different cases,” she said. “It has been really rewarding. It’s really important that the kids have someone they know who can really speak for them.”

Judy Papania

Judy Papania was also named a Volunteer of the Month for CASA of Lexington. Judy has been speaking for CASA children in Fayette County for more than six years, and during that time, she has worked some difficult cases involving abuse and neglect.

“It is something that can be emotionally draining. But it is rewarding at the same time,” Judy said. “It’s nice to see children be in a better place and thrive — to know that people care about them and they’re not alone. That’s rewarding. It’s also made me new friends.”

Judy said there are CASA staff members she has befriended, as well as foster parents from previous cases who are still her friends today. And she is still a part of the families of some former CASA kids to whom she was assigned.

“I have children that have been adopted that I’m still in touch with from way back,” she said.

Judy’s six years of service make her one of CASA of Lexington’s most experienced volunteers. CASA asks every volunteer to commit to at least two years of service, in order to ensure each child who gets a CASA volunteer can keep that same volunteer throughout their case.

Many CASA children have been removed from their homes of origin. They deal with a lot of confusion, fear and trauma. Their CASA volunteer is a familiar, friendly face that can help provide them with stability and hope.

“Judy is a fantastic volunteer who works tirelessly to ensure each child’s individual needs are met,” said Cara McLeod, Judy’s volunteer manager. “She is a consistent figure in her CASA kids’ lives in the midst of difficult times. She is understanding, compassionate and empathetic with the families she serves."