On its 40th anniversary, CASA of Lexington celebrates its volunteers

CASA volunteer Cynthia Phillips, left, received an award for being CASA of Lexington’s Longest Continuous-Serving Volunteer during the organization’s 40th anniversary volunteer appreciation event. Having served for more than 17 years, Phillips has been part of the program for close to half its existence.

CASA of Lexington celebrated 40 years of serving central Kentucky kids with a volunteer appreciation event at LockRidge Park in Garrard County Sunday.

Attendees gather for CASA of Lexington’s 40th anniversary volunteer appreciation event Sunday, May 17, at LockRidge Park in Garrard County.

Since 1986, the program has expanded from a staff of two in one county with a handful of volunteers, to a staff of 16 across seven counties with hundreds of volunteers. The organization celebrate serving at least 3,690 children and training at least 975 volunteers, who have given more than 178,000 hours.

“We really are here just to say, ‘Thank you,’” Executive Director Melynda Jamison told those gathered for the event Sunday afternoon. “Whether you are a volunteer, a board member – who is also a volunteer, someone who supports the work of our agency, or a donor, it truly takes each of us coming together to ensure that children have safe and permanent homes.”

One award was given during the event: CASA Volunteer Cynthia Phillips was recognized as the program’s longest continuous-serving volunteer. Jamison said Phillips began as a CASA volunteer more than 17 years ago, and she has never taken a break.

Jamison presented Phillips with a framed certificate and a bouquet of flowers.

A ‘flagship program’

Sally Erny, Deputy CEO of the National CASA Association, attended the event. Erny helped launch the CASA of Lexington program and lead the first training class.

“This program is very near and dear to my heart,” Erny said. “I also want to say this program is very much seen as a flagship program across the country.”

Erny said other programs are looking at and trying to replicate what CASA of Lexington is doing. And the same is happening at the state level, with the Kentucky CASA Network serving as an innovative leader for growth.

“This is the most important work I think you can be doing,” Erny said. “I would say after being in this network for 42 years, children need CASA volunteers now more than ever.”

CASA volunteers are thoroughly trained, then matched with children who have suffered abuse or neglect. Each volunteer visits their CASA child monthly, gathers information, and reports back to the judge and other professionals working the child’s case.

Getting results for kids

Jessamine and Garrard Family Court Judge Jeff Moss attended the event and said he is grateful for the CASA volunteers and Volunteer Managers who serve in his courtrooms.

Garrard and Jessamine Family Court Judge Jeff Moss speaks about bringing CASA services to his courtrooms.

“I am able to get information from CASA reports that I can’t really expect my social workers to be able to (gather),” Moss said.

CASA reports include recommendations for actions that would be in the child’s best interest. The reports can help identify when supports are missing, when a child has a problem in their current placement, or when a child should be reunified with their parents.

Georgetown Mayor Burney Jenkins said when he learned about CASA services, he was immediately supportive of providing funding to bring CASA to Scott County. CASA of Lexington expanded into Scott as its fourth county in 2021.

Jenkins said as a former teacher with more than four decades of experience, he cares a lot about helping kids – especially those who need support to have success in their lives.

“Without you, these kids would not have a pathway to success,” Jenkins said.

Jamison noted CASA of Lexington may be the only CASA program that has funding allocations from each of the counties and cities it serves. That local funding has been “instrumental” in the program’s expansions, she said.

‘Stepping up to the plate’

Andrea Bruns, Executive Director of the Kentucky CASA Network, said she is very impressed by CASA of Lexington’s volunteers, board and staff.

CASA Board Member Chauncey Morris thanks volunteers.

“For you, the volunteers, who give of your time, your talent, your treasure – the work you do does not go unnoticed,” Bruns said.

CASA of Lexington Board Members Shelby Lee, Kay Yates, Jonathan Shell, and Chauncey Morris, also offered thanks to the volunteers.

“The volunteers are the ones stepping up to the plate,” Morris said. “We are just here to facilitate what you’re doing. And it means the world to everybody in our community. This is how you make the world better – one step at a time. We are very, very humbled and grateful for you.”