She saw the problem of child abuse and neglect. CASA gave her a way to do something about it.

CASA Volunteer Cristy Lester-Dunn

Cristy Lester-Dunn is not someone who looks away when something is wrong. She looks straight at the problem and does whatever she can to fix it.

That’s why she serves on multiple boards focused on child advocacy, legislation and community initiatives. She believes in being involved in making her community better and modeling that belief for others.

That’s why she serves as a CASA volunteer, advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the local family court system.

“Not every child goes home from school to a welcoming household. Not every child goes home to a hot meal. Not every child resides in a safe environment,” Lester-Dunn said. “It is all of our responsibility to support and protect all children, because they are our future.”

Lester-Dunn began serving as a CASA volunteer in the middle of the pandemic. She has now advocated for five children in almost four years doing the important work. She is a CASA Volunteer of the Month for September because of her dedication to the children in a particularly difficult case.

“Cristy must not get motion sick, because we have gone through this roller-coaster ride at high speed and she hasn’t gotten off,” said Rebecca Brereton-Farr, her Volunteer Manager.

Volunteer Managers are full-time CASA staff who provide guidance and support to their CASA volunteers. The volunteers each spend roughly 5-10 hours a month visiting their CASA children, learning about their children’s lives and writing reports that give everyone on the case a much better understanding of what the children need.

“Cristy has experienced heartbreak in this case, but even in those hard times, she turns to me and says, ‘But here is what we do for them next. Here is how we move forward for the children,” Brereton-Farr said. “She shows nothing but resilience and determination to do what is best for the children at all times.”

Lester-Dunn said she volunteers because children in the family court system face so much uncertainty and trauma.

“By volunteering, I can offer them stability, support, and a caring presence during a challenging time in their lives,” she said. “I take my presence in court advocating for these children seriously and I do what I can to not only make recommendations, but to encourage others to feel what the child is feeling.”

In CASA of Lexington’s service area, there are currently only enough CASA volunteers for about one out of every five abused or neglected children in the system. Those who receive a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school and return to safe, permanent homes that do not disrupt again.

Lester-Dunn said the decision to become a CASA volunteer is not one to take lightly. But she hopes people remember there are children right now who do not have a voice, whose needs are being over-looked.

“Put yourself in their shoes. Consider the impact there would be if someone would speak up for you,” she said. “A drop of hope makes ripples that can change a life. If you have that passion and you want to make a difference, give it a try. CASA offers a lot of support to our volunteers.”

To become a CASA volunteer, you can apply at www.casaoflexington.org. Every new CASA volunteer completes a 30-hour training course and background checks before being assigned to a child’s case. Trainings are offered in-person and virtually regularly throughout the year.