Fawn Torkelson Named a Volunteer of the Month for May 2021

In May 2020, just a few months into the pandemic, Fawn Torkelson took her first case as a CASA volunteer. She is one of dozens of people in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties who have chosen to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children even as the pandemic has made everything more complicated.

"I was lucky enough to have a career in pediatric nursing, until I stayed home to raise my two daughters. I realized that I was soon going to have an empty nest and wanted to be able to volunteer for an organization that helped children," Torkelson said. "CASA of Lexington was a perfect fit for me."

Torkelson's hard work on her first case led her Volunteer Manager Liz Noffsinger to nominate her as a CASA Volunteer of the Month.

"Fawn has shown a phenomenal amount of patience and dedication to her case," Noffsinger said. "She has diligently collected countless medical records and school records and has developed strong relationships with the school counselors and the social worker. She is tenacious with her communication with a child in her case."

Torkelson said she has found it very rewarding to see how many people are working to help children and their families so that children can remain with their families.

"Judges, lawyers, social workers and so many amazing CASA volunteers and mentors all care and have concern for these kids and their families," she said. "My Volunteer Manager Liz is so amazing and comes at everything with such a positive attitude. She makes me feel like I have the most fantastic ideas, and really makes me feel like the work I am doing is valuable."

Torkelson said she would encourage anyone interested in helping children to look into becoming a CASA volunteer.

"I was a little intimidated at first with the possibility of writing court reports and speaking in court, but you really get to know your case and really can speak to what is in the best interest of the child," she said. "And if you are nervous about anything, your CASA Volunteer Manager is a great source of ideas and advice."