Donna Gess and Alyssa Conley Named CASA Volunteers of the Month

CASA Volunteers of the Month for September 2021, Donna Gess (left) and Alyssa Conley.

Donna Gess was watching an episode of Dr. Phil when she learned about CASA from the show. She remembers feeling intrigued by becoming an advocate, but it wasn’t until years later when she retired that she was able to commit the time. 

“I thought it would be a perfect fit to continue to work with children since retiring from teaching,” said Gess.

This month, CASA of Lexington named Gess one of its Volunteers of the Month.

Since becoming a volunteer in February of 2020, Gess has worked with seven children over three cases. Her Volunteer Manager, Dennis Stutsman, expressed admiration for the grit she has shown working with each of these cases.

“Donna works well and objectively with bio parents, relatives and foster caregivers, whether the goal leads to adoption, relative placement or strengthening a family's ability to protect children remaining in the home,” Stutsman said.

“The kids keep me motivated,” Gess said of working on her cases. “I want to make sure they are getting the best that we can provide whether it be foster care placement, help with a problem in school, or any other concern they may be having.”

In her time outside of CASA, Gess enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandsons. She also enjoys needlepoint, reading, and going to the beach.

To anyone considering becoming a CASA volunteer, she offers words of encouragement. 

“The work is often difficult but very rewarding. It is difficult to learn about the situations these children have been put in and the things they have had to endure. But being a CASA volunteer can turn a child’s life around and give them a fighting chance at life,” Gess said. “Every child deserves to have someone who looks out for them and has their best interest in mind.”

CASA Volunteer Alyssa Conley feels the same as Gess. Conley was also named a Volunteer of the Month for September.

Conley’s introduction to CASA came her senior year of college, when a mentor at an internship shared her experience as an advocate.

Now, she has graduated and works as a youth case manager at the Kentucky Career Center. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, shop, and volunteering as an advocate with CASA.

“Kids are my passion. Being the voice for a child who might not have one is something that holds a big place in my heart,” Conley said. 

It’s obvious to anyone who hears about her case how much she cares. The case that Conley is assigned recently had some circumstantial changes, and Conley has been there for the children every step of the way. 

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison praised her work ethic.

“Alyssa has developed a tremendous rapport with the school and the GAL, which has resulted in concerns being communicated to and addressed by the court,” Jamison said.

“My favorite part about being a CASA is seeing the child’s face light up every time I visit,” Conley said. “I have gained a new best friend that I know will leave an impact on me forever.”

She would like to encourage others to “take the leap,” and become CASA volunteers, and she shared a quote that helps motivate her:

 "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower"