CASA of Lexington adds 13 new CASA volunteers
Thirteen central Kentucky residents graduated training and became CASA volunteers this June.
Fayette County Family Court Judge Tiffany Yahr swore in the new volunteers June 26, after they completed 30 hours of training. They can now begin advocating for the needs of abused and neglected children in Kentucky’s family court systems.
The new CASA volunteers are Olga Bustos, Fran Dotson, Kathryn Hall, Lee Hall, Trish Miller, Chris Nason, Ashley Newsome, Mary Pendleton, Laura Sawyer, Karyn Schwartz, Alyssa Shashaty, Marsha Smith and Karen Waugh.
“I really want to thank you all for dedicating so much of your time in training to get started on this adventure,” Yahr said. “It’s not always glamorous – court is not like it is on TV. But you taking the time to get to know your kiddo or kiddos and being able to give the court more information about the child and what they need – there is value in that. You all are making a positive difference for sure.”
After training, CASA volunteers give about 5-10 hours a month, visiting their matched children, gathering information, compiling reports for judges like Yahr, and attending hearings in their children’s cases a few times a year.
Over the next 12 months, the 13 new CASA volunteers may advocate for as many as 32 children.
“You can give the children you serve hope. You can make sure the court knows what they need,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “You can be the reason a child’s case closes with them in a safe, permanent home.”
During the graduation, Jamison told the new volunteers cases don’t always go as expected.
“Sometimes things fall apart … but we get to help sometimes put those pieces back together,” she said. “We have a great team here to support you. We are here to help you with the highs, the lows, and right in the middle.”
To learn more about CASA volunteering or apply to be a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org.
