Scott County CASA Volunteer Changes the Course of a Young Girl’s life through advocacy

CASA Volunteer Debbie Rurik-Goodwin

Debbie Rurik-Goodwin had two goals after she retired: Spend time with her grandson and volunteer however she could to make a real difference.

By serving as grant coordinator for the Children’s Charity of the Bluegrass, she learned a lot about some of the best nonprofits in central Kentucky. When she learned about what Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers do, “it struck a chord with me immediately,” she said.

Rurik-Goodwin took a 30-hour training class to become a CASA volunteer, and now after a year volunteering, she has been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month.

“Debbie is such a kind and diligent volunteer,” said Sarah Fightmaster, Scott County’s CASA Volunteer Manager. “She is what CASA is all about. She has provided an ongoing source of stability for a child in a volatile case.

“Through all the ups and downs this child has faced, Debbie has been there for her.”

CASA volunteers are matched with children in the family court system who have suffered abuse or neglect. Each CASA volunteer visits their CASA child monthly, often getting to know them better than anyone else in the courtroom. The volunteer provides reports about the child’s situation to the judge on the case, allowing the judge to make more informed decisions and getting better outcomes for kids.

“I believe CASA volunteers are so important and effective in these children’s lives because they’re able to spend more time with them and dig deep into what’s really going on in a child’s life and what the child’s needs are,” Rurik-Goodwin said. “I think many people should volunteer as CASA volunteers. There are so many children who need a CASA volunteer and there aren’t enough volunteers to go around.”

Fightmaster said without Rurik-Goodwin on her case, “this would have been an entirely different experience, from the child’s perspective.” Rurik-Goodwin gave her CASA child a voice in court they would not have had otherwise, she said.

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can join the next training class for new CASA volunteers, which begins April 4 with classes on nights and weekends. A full schedule of the training classes is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training.

“I would encourage anybody who has a heart and the time to commit to this to do it. It is so needed for children today,” Rurik-Goodwin said. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I never feel better myself than when I’m giving to somebody else. That’s where my joy comes from.”