Lisa Travis Finds Joy in Helping a Child Stuck in the Family Court System

CASA Volunteer of the Month Lisa Travis

Lisa Travis gets a little extra joy in her life from her visits with a child in the family court system.

“Our time together is spent talking, playing games, decorating cookies, drawing or playing basketball,” she said. “It is so rewarding to see and celebrate small wins and growth, whether it is related to school, learning to self-advocate, relationships, or behaviors.”

Travis has the unique opportunity to bond with and advocate for an abused or neglected child because she serves as a CASA volunteer.

“I first learned of CASA through a speaker at our Rotary Club in Dublin, Ohio — just prior to moving to Lexington,” Travis said. “As soon as we relocated, I reached out to express my interest in volunteering.”

Travis gives 5-10 hours per month visiting her CASA child, gathering information about the child’s life, providing reports on what the child needs and speaking up for the child when there are hearings in the case.

“At first, I found the court appearances intimidating because I had never been in a courtroom, other than for jury duty,” she said. “But I quickly realized that this was simply a special group of people from multiple professions who had all dedicated their lives to representing and serving in the best interest of every child in the court system.”

Travis said support from her Volunteer Manager Madi Carson-Hoyt has made many aspects of the volunteer work much easier, too.

Carson-Hoyt nominated Travis to be a CASA Volunteer of the Month because of how committed she is to the work.

“Lisa has been the only adult to consistently show up for the child in her case,” Carson-Hoyt said. “It doesn’t matter where the child is placed or what is going on. She will show up each month to see them.”

“I can’t think of a better use of my time than helping a child in their darkest of days to feel loved, seen and heard,” she said. “The impact is for a lifetime and has the potential to help change the course of their lives.

“If you are thinking about volunteering, don’t let the ‘buts’ or the ‘what-ifs’ get in the way of an opportunity that will change you and the lives of those you serve forever.”