Medical professional helps keep focus on family preservation as a CASA volunteer

CASA Volunteer Melissa Martin

One of Melissa Martin’s proudest moments was becoming a mom. 

“My daughter is my whole life. I would not know what to do without her,” Melissa said. “She changed my life for the better. I had her so young. But she has taught me what fighting for a better life is all about.” 

If you ask Melissa what else she is proud of, serving as a CASA volunteer will also be near the top of the list. 

She first learned about CASA — a program that provides volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children — from a child that came through the emergency room where she works as a healthcare professional. She looked into it and decided to sign up as a volunteer. 

“The most rewarding part of becoming a CASA has been getting to meet new people and being able to help with what’s going on in their life,” she said. 

Martin has served as a CASA volunteer for about 18 months, and has now been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month thanks to a nomination by her Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman. 

Stutsman said Melissa jumped right in on her first assignment and has done a great job helping improve her CASA children’s lives. 

“She has done a tremendous job of advocating for the kids in court, often clarifying facts that appear to be unknown,” Stutsman said. “She has ensured that the children get proper medical care, special needs evaluations and educational services.” 

Melissa has also helped the family of the children find community resources and develop a support network. 

Children who receive CASA volunteers do better in school and far less likely to re-enter the system after their cases close. That’s because volunteers like Melissa find common-sense solutions that might otherwise go overlooked and help ensure families are in a stronger position to stay together and stay safe. 

CASA volunteers receive a 30-hour training before being assigned to a child and are supported by a Volunteer Manager every step of the way. A volunteer typically spends 5-10 hours a month volunteering, and all volunteers are asked to commit to serve for at least two years. 

Melissa said serving as a CASA volunteer has been personally rewarding. 

“Sometimes, it’s not rainbows and sunshine,” she said. “But helping the children within our community to succeed in life – it’s very rewarding, especially when the world is against them.”