Kelsey Giurgevich makes a difference in Bourbon County as a CASA volunteer

CASA Volunteer of the Month Kelsey Giurgevich

Kelsey Giurgevich is a difference-maker for a hurt child in Bourbon County Family Court. But she’s not an attorney, social worker or judge.

She’s a CASA volunteer.

“Serving as a CASA volunteer is worth your time because you are able to be a voice and provide input for a vulnerable child,” Kelsey said. “I enjoy being able to raise questions and trying to connect the dots for the child and their family.”

CASA volunteers are regular people in the Bourbon County community who complete a training class and are matched with abused and neglected children. Each volunteer visits their matched child monthly, gathers information about their life, and speaks up if the child needs something or has a problem.

Kelsey first became a CASA volunteer about a year ago. She first heard about the volunteer opportunity from Ryan Lemond on Kentucky Sports Radio.

“After learning more, I felt this was a volunteer role I was well-suited for and a way I could make a difference in my community,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey clearly is suited to the work: Her Bourbon County CASA Volunteer Manager Weida Allen nominated her to be a CASA Volunteer of the Month for CASA of Lexington’s seven-county region.

“Kelsey has helped identify a lot of useful resources that have benefited her CASA child and family,” Allen said. “She has also helped ensure her CASA child is getting the educational services they need.”

Kelsey said Allen’s support is a major reason she has discovered CASA volunteering can be rewarding and not time-consuming.

“Weida has encouraged me and made the work straightforward and clear,” she said. “She has good feedback and validates me and my work. The time commitment is not a burden because there is continuous support throughout the process.”

Kelsey said she has enjoyed seeing how the information she gathers has helped the people making decisions about the child and led to better outcomes. But that’s not the best part of the work.

“Build a relationship with the child is the best part of being a CASA,” she said. “The training and staff at CASA of Lexington are so great and they will prepare you to be a difference- maker for a child in your community who needs help.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org.