Jillian Kyde

“What is put in the mind of a child is most definitely what comes out in the life of an adult.”

This is what drives Jillian Kyde daily and led her to join CASA of Lexington’s Board in 2018, where she chairs Bourbon and the Bayou, CASA of Lexington’s largest fundraiser. This will be Jillian’s third year helping with this incredible event. Last year, Bourbon and the Bayou reached new heights, raising over $200,000, which provided for 200 CASA advocates. This year, she is coordinating a virtual version of the event and raising as much money as possible for the essential CASA advocates helping the vulnerable children in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties.

Delivering exceptional service and one-of-a-kind experiences is in Jillian’s blood. Due to this, Jillian traveled the world professionally as a corporate event planner, planning high-end corporate incentives, events and meetings in places such as Tuscany, Barbados, Pebble Beach and Scotland. Jillian also specialized in corporate compassion events and team builds benefiting small grassroots charities such as Project Shero. Her work caught the attention of hotel executives for the City Center complex in Las Vegas, where she had them build custom bicycles for children in their community who had never owned their own bicycle.

Prior to moving to Kentucky, Jillian also worked as Director of Sales for the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Las Vegas, and opened Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas as their Executive Director of Sales, helping shape their team culture of giving back.

Three years ago Jillian left her home state and moved to her husband’s home state of Kentucky with their two sons. Jillian volunteered with CASA of Las Vegas for over a decade, along with many other philanthropic efforts near and dear to her heart. As a freelance hotel consultant, she stepped into temporary Director of Sales roles so New York City hoteliers could take maternity leaves. She is passionate about keeping mothers in the workforce and ensuring they can feel confident their work will be handled while they enjoy bonding time with their babies.

Jillian began working with CASA of Lexington after hearing Executive Director Melynda Jamison speak at a conference in Florida.

Hard work, drive, perseverance, innovation and creativity have always been who Jillian is. While her professional experiences have been incredible and plentiful, her family has always been top of her inspiration and priority lists. In 2020, Jillian and her husband welcomed their third son while helping their elementary aged sons navigate virtual learning. The hardest part of COVID beyond the devastation to the world and her beloved hospitality industry has been worrying about the children who are not in safe homes and where the gap in education and mental health is taking place at unprecedented levels.

Jillian’s goal with her CASA work has always been to help as many children as possible break cycles of abuse and neglect and find loving and stable environments that are not only permanent but will help them thrive.

Beyond CASA, Jillian also serves as the Advisory Board Chairman for the Kappa Alpha Theta Chapter at University of Kentucky. As the national philanthropy for Theta, it was actually Theta that led Jillian to learn about CASA over 20 years ago, and led her to something she feels extremely passionate about to this day. Jillian also loves mentoring college women and seeing their dreams become reality. Multiple Theta women have become CASA advocates and volunteers each year, and Jillian feels strongly that her volunteer time is best spent helping the youth in any community that she finds herself in.

CASA of Lexington’s signature Mardis Gras event, Bourbon and the Bayou, has gone virtual this year, providing an opportunity to enjoy the experience of a private bourbon tasting event from the comfort of your own home.

The virtual party on Feb. 12 will feature a Bourbon education and tasting segment led by Sommelier Tim Knittel with Distilled Living. Knittel is a Kentucky bourbon industry insider with over 10 years of experience in bourbon education and event design.

The 2021 Bourbon and the Bayou virtual event, presented by Community Trust Bank, is free to attend and also features fun videos, opportunities to sponsor abused and neglected children in central Kentucky, and a silent auction. Those who wish to participate in the Bourbon education and tasting can enhance the experience by purchasing a Bourbon tasting kit on the event website, BandB2021.givesmart.com.

The kit includes a bottle of Old Limestone Mixing Water, two Woodford Reserve Bourbon balls from Ruth Hunt Candies, one Glencairn glass, two gift cards for entrees at Bourbon n’ Toulouse, a flavor wheel, a tasting mat and CASA of Lexington Mardi Gras beads.

Bourbon is not included; attendees are encouraged to purchase mini-bourbon bottles from their favorite liquor store. Knittel’s bourbon selection for the event is Jim Beam Black, Knob Creek and Four Roses Single Barrel.

All proceeds from the event benefit CASA of Lexington, a nonprofit that trains and supervises volunteer advocates who speak up for abused and neglected children in family court.

“We are following up 2020’s record-setting year for Bourbon and the Bayou with another first – a virtual event that anyone can attend,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “The fun looks different this year, but it will still be a whole lot of fun for a good cause.”

Another exciting part of the event is a silent auction that goes live Jan. 29 on the event website. The auction includes some blockbuster items, such as a week-long rental of a house in Jamaica and signed items from some big Kentucky Basketball names.

The Bourbon and the Bayou event will be held over Zoom. You can join the night of the event by visiting bit.ly/BandB2021, by visiting casaoflexington.org/bourbon-and-the-bayou, or by visiting BandB2021.givesmart.com. You can also receive it in your email by RSVPing to info@casaoflexington.org.

The auction will end at 9 p.m. on Feb. 12, shortly after the virtual event concludes. CASA of Lexington will go live on Facebook as the auction closes to announce winners and how many abused and neglected children were sponsored during the event.

It costs about $1,000 to provide a child with a CASA volunteer for one year – less than half the cost of a month in foster care. CASA volunteers work to ensure children receive services, are not re-traumatized and can return to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Last year, Bourbon and the Bayou attendees sponsored more than 80 children, helping ensure CASA of Lexington could continue providing services uninterrupted during one of the most difficult years many have experienced.

Because of the virtual format this year, CASA of Lexington is encouraging those who wish to sponsor a child to sign up early on the event website. Updates on the number of children sponsored will be shared on CASA of Lexington’s social media channels, @CASAofLexington.

“There are hundreds of children in the family court system right now who could benefit from having a CASA volunteer,” Jamison said. “If you support us through Bourbon and the Bayou, you are helping improve the future for children right here at home.”

IF YOU GO

Bourbon and the Bayou, presented by Community Trust Bank, will be held virtually over Zoom on Feb. 12. A bourbon education segment led by Tim Knittel with Distilled Living will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Bourbon and the Bayou video party will last from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Bourbon tasting kits for the event can be purchased for $50 on the event website, BandB.givesmart.com. The website also features mask-making kits for kids, silent auction items, a link to join the live event and the ability to sponsor an abused or neglected child for $1,000.

ONLINE

Bourbon and the Bayou Website: BandB2021.givesmart.com

CASA of Lexington Facebook: facebook.com/CASAofLexington

Link to join Zoom on Feb. 12: https://bit.ly/BandB2021

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. According to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, known vulnerabilities may be recent relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, and being a runaway or homeless youth. About one in four trafficking victims are children and the average age is 14.

National CASA/GAL provides training resources for CASA and GAL staff and volunteers to help recognize and advocate for human trafficking and child exploitation victims:

Child Trafficking: Recognizing the Risks and Signs

Child Trafficking: Knowledge for Working with Survivors

Advocating for Trafficked and High-Risk Child and Youth Victims

CASA of Lexington’s two Volunteers of the Month for January both resolved to help abused children in their communities after hearing about the need for Court-Appointed Special Advocates.

Ruth Walker heard about CASA of Lexington after hearing about the organization at her church.

Ruth Walker

“It sounded like a good fit because I could volunteer and still maintain other commitments and travel with my husband,” she said.

A year and a half after completing her training, Walker has been named a Volunteer of the Month because of her dedication to helping a child in a difficult situation.

“Ruth is doing extraordinary work on her first CASA case,” said Dennis Stutsman, Walker’s Volunteer Manager. “Ruth has steadfastly advocated for her child, learning about developmental stages for a youth who identifies as transgender, advocating for cultural connection and a full exploration of potential extended family caregivers, and leaving no stone unturned in the quest for an appropriate placement.”

Walker said she likes that by serving as a CASA volunteer she can “change the trajectory of a child’s future,” and that she has support from “extraordinary people” throughout the system to help her do it.

“As a CASA volunteer, I have had the opportunity to positively influence the life of a child,” she said. “Though it is eye-opening to bear witness to the enormous needs of neglected and/or abused children and suffering families, it is rewarding to be a resource for them.”

Debra Gabbard is also a Volunteer of the Month for January; she said she got involved with CASA after a friend asked that people do good deeds in memory of a child who passed away.

“The same day, I received a note about a new class to train advocates for CASA,” she said. “I made the call the same day. It seemed to be destiny.”

Stutsman, who is also Gabbard’s Volunteer Manager, said Gabbard is an all-star volunteer who is currently working three cases; most volunteers work one case at a time.

“Debra is patient, persistent, thorough and always sensitive to the family relationships that complicate her kids’ lives,” Stutsman said. “She is a vocal advocate for what is first and foremost the best outcome possible for her kids.”

Debra Gabbard

“I have done a lot of volunteer work, but nothing that I have ever done has compared to the rewards that I receive from working with my CASA kids,” Gabbard said. “I currently have three cases, with children in many different foster homes ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers. Each case is different, but similar in the fact that we are focusing on what is best for the child to grow up in a safe and permanent home.”

Gabbard has also told her friends and coworkers about CASA of Lexington and talked about why she volunteers, which has led five other people to become CASA volunteers, as well.

“I credit that to not as much what I’ve done or said, but just being blessed with really amazing friends and coworkers who want to make a difference in a child’s life,” she said. “For most of the people I speak with, they are not concerned with the time it will take, but how difficult it will be to have a close relationship with a child who has been abused or neglected to the degree that we see.”

Gabbard has been a CASA volunteer more than two and a half years. During that time, she has advocated for eight children. This is her second time being named a Volunteer of the Month.

CASA volunteers are trained by CASA of Lexington staff and then appointed to cases of child abuse and neglect by a family court judge. They become friends to the children on their cases, and they provide insights and verify information, which helps inform the judge’s decisions.

CASA volunteers are often assigned to some of the most difficult cases of abuse and neglect. But their work helps get services to those children -- and helps them return to permanent, safe and loving homes.

“Honestly, it is hard, but this is going on every single day,” Gabbard said. “There’s a child waiting for someone to speak up for them. I have never regretted for a single moment my decision to help these children.”

Chris Hoskins is one of the longest serving members on CASA of Lexington's Board of Directors. Having served on the Board since 2015, he has been a part of the organization's impressive growth over the past six years, including expansion from Fayette into Bourbon, Woodford and now Scott counties.

"I was born and raised in Woodford County, so it really means a lot that we now serve a community that has given so much to me," he said.

Hoskins lives in downtown Lexington and is a partner at Jackson Kelly PLLC, where he specializes in equine and construction law.

"I had never heard of CASA until a friend suggested I get involved and serve on the board," he said. "Now, everyone knows about CASA, which is a testament to (Executive Director) Melynda (Jamison), the CASA team, and the volunteers' passion for an unduplicated resource that makes a real difference in our community."

Hoskins' mother is actively involved in CASA as well and has served as a CASA volunteer for several years.

"As a pediatric oncology nurse at UK for more than 40 years and an advocate for that cause, she is passionate about making a difference in our community," he said. "And CASA is one of her true passions."

Hoskins is in his second term as a CASA board member; his current term ends in June.

Every person who buys a car from a Dan Cummins dealership in 2021 will also be helping abused and neglected children in central Kentucky. 

Through the 2021 Dan Cummins Cares program, a portion from each vehicle purchase at the Cummins’ families three central Kentucky dealerships will be donated to CASA of Lexington. The nonprofit trains and supports hundreds of community volunteers who serve as advocates, friends and role models for some of the area’s most at-risk children. 

“The Cummins family has long supported CASA’s efforts to help abused children find safe, permanent homes and give them the childhoods they deserve,” said Josh Cummins. “Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, we are taking that commitment to our communities’ kids to the next level. We have set a goal for this program of raising $100,000 for CASA of Lexington.” 

That money will allow CASA of Lexington to further grow its number of advocates and serve hundreds more children in central Kentucky, said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director. 

“It also means the thousands of people who buy a Dan Cummins vehicle every year will learn a little bit about how many children right here in our local community are in need,” she said. “There are more than 2,000 abused or neglected children in our four counties with cases before a judge right now. We served close to 600 of those children in 2020; there are hundreds more who need an advocate.” 

The Cummins family have been major sponsors for multiple CASA of Lexington fundraisers. They have also been instrumental in helping CASA of Lexington expand its services beyond Fayette County. The organization now also serves children in Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties. 

By committing to significant, recurring financial support, the Cummins family has also become CASA of Lexington’s first Sustaining Partner. 

“CASA of Lexington has no guaranteed funding from any source. As funding levels from federal and state grants change, it will become more important for CASA to find Sustaining Partners who want to see positive change in their community,” Jamison said. “We’re thrilled that we have found our first Sustaining Partner in the Cummins family.” 

Josh Cummins said donations will be taken from the proceeds of each vehicle sale after the purchase is complete. 

“We are giving to make a difference. We are giving because it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “Hopefully when our customers drive their new cars home, they will feel good knowing their purchase helped kids in need.” 

About the Cummins Family 

The Cummins Family owns three dealerships in central Kentucky: Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris, Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Paris, and Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown. The dealerships are open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick of Paris is located at 1020 MLK Jr. Boulevard in Paris and the phone number is (877) 661-2805. Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Paris is located at 2021 Alverson Dr. in Paris and the phone number is (859) 740-0352. Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Georgetown is located at 1470 Cherry Blossom Way in Georgetown and the phone number is (502) 947-6760. You can find out more about their dealerships at www.dancummins.com. 

On Oct. 13, 2020, new CASA volunteers and two Friends of CASA interpreters took the oath of confidentiality and were sworn in by Family Court Judge Kathy W. Stein. You can view highlights from the virtual swearing in ceremony here:

This is unusual: Normally, by this time in the year, Endow Kentucky tax credits are long gone. But 2020 is not your average year by any measure!

As of last week, there was still nearly $40,000 available from the Endow Kentucky program. Those dollars provide tax credits of 20% on eligible donations made to permanent endowments at the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Year-end is always a great time for charitable giving and these tax credits provide an added boost to the tax advantages!

If you're interested, we have all the information you need to get started right here:

1. The first step is to complete an application and return it to the Kentucky Department of Revenue, or to BGCF, which can review for accuracy and submit on your behalf.

2. To support CASA of Lexington with your donation, write "CASA of Lexington Endowed Fund" in field J of your form.

3. If you have questions, you can email Scott Fitzpatrick with BGCF or call BGCF at (859) 225-3343.

Once approved, you may complete your gift using cash, appreciated stock, or other tangible assets. Kentucky taxpayers may receive a 20% tax credit on gifts up to $50,000 every year. This applies to both individuals and businesses. There is no minimum on donations; you might give $100, the maximum $50,000, or anywhere in between.

If you have any questions, you can contact Executive Director Melynda Jamison at mjamison@lexingtonky.gov. Or if you’d like to support CASA of Lexington without pursuing an additional tax credit, you may do so at any time by using our online donation portal.

Susan Stewart, left, and Connie Handman are CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for December 2020.

CASA of Lexington is honoring a pair of volunteers in December who between them have advocated for 19 abused and neglected children.

Connie Handman and Susan Stewart are the nonprofit’s December Volunteers of the Month. Both have taken on multiple cases involving multiple children during their times as CASA volunteers.

“Connie has had three cases since she started with CASA a little over a year ago, and she currently manages two simultaneously,” said Beka Schwartz, Handman’s Volunteer Manager. “She gives her whole heart to her CASA kids and trying to improve their situations.”

Stewart’s Volunteer Manager Liz Noffsinger said her reports to judges have been characterized as “perfection.”

“Susan has a natural curiosity that is extremely beneficial to her advocacy,” Noffsinger said. “She knows how to uncover pertinent details regarding the children so that she can ensure that the children’s needs are being met.”

CASA of Lexington asked Handman and Stewart some questions about their time as CASA volunteers. Here are their responses:

Q: How did you get involved with CASA of Lexington?

Handman: Kelly Hale from Immanuel Baptist Church (another CASA of Lexington volunteer). I went to her for help finding a good fit for using my time to help kids grow up in a loving environment.

Stewart: I heard (CASA of Lexington Executive Director) Melynda (Jamison) being interviewed on WEKU in early 2017. Most of my volunteering has been political or with the LGBTQ community, so this kind of work with kids had never occurred to me. I don't know why, but I couldn't stop thinking about Melynda's description of CASA's work and the desperate need of children in our community. When I can't shake a thought like this, I know it's the universe's way of telling me I need to act. So, I reached out in the spring of 2017 and started training that May.

Q: What have you found rewarding about being a CASA volunteer?

Stewart: When I can see a direct, clear, positive change in a child's life because of something I have done, it's very motivating. The work we do is usually less firework-y than that, more subtle. Most days as a CASA wouldn't make very good made-for-TV-movie fodder, much less blockbuster material.

It's work, it's building relationships, it's asking a lot of questions and making a lot of contacts. But sometimes, SOMETIMES I can see a difference that I made -- like tracking down a family member no one knew was there or intervening in the nick of time before a child is harmed. Those are the blockbuster moments!

Handman: Watching children begin to feel safe and cared for, as hopefully, their parents take advantage of the many services offered to them through Kentucky’s great family resources. It’s a “Win-Win” situation!

Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer?

Handman: If a volunteer is  wanting to see abused or neglected children start to thrive due to his/her support and encouragement and make a difference in their lives, then I would say, “What are you waitng for?” CASA has great managers who will give you all the help you need to be successful. So please come join our team!

Stewart: I remember being intimidated at first -- intimidation can stop of a lot of people from taking the plunge. I'm not a social worker or lawyer. I have no special experience that makes me good at working with kids. What if I mess up? I was very anxious about starting.

Then, as part of my training, I spent part of a day in court, watching case after case after case. The numbers of these struggling families and children in that one morning were horrifying to me. It was unbelievable that these cases were a proverbial thimble-full of the suffering out there -- the suffering that I'd committed to help change.

Maybe it's counter-intuitive, but I immediately felt better. I realized that it's impossible to make these situations worse; it is ONLY possible that your intervention, however meager you think it is, will help. So, let's just get in there, pick up some work, and help.

Q: Susan, you’ve advocated for nine different children over all the cases you’ve had; and Connie, you’ve advocated for 10 different children. What does it feel like to know you’ve helped so many children by serving as a CASA volunteer?

Stewart: I stay completely focused on the case I'm working at the moment. As a CASA volunteer, I'm really only as valuable as my current contribution, so that's where I fixate mentally. That said, I'm immensely humbled to have gotten to know these children, humbled that they've let me into their lives and shared their fears and goals and stories with me. I feel like the work I do leaves its own, very small imprint on our community, through the lives of these kids and their families.

Handman: A warm, fuzzy, satisfying knowledge that I had some small part in helping these 10 children experience life that supplies them with the basic needs, safety and nurturing from people who love them.

Russell Whitney joined CASA of Lexington's Board of Directors this year. He previously trained to be a CASA volunteer in 2017.

Whitney is a retired international Delta Air Lines captain who had a 27-year career. He said he his philosophy has always been that "every child should have good parents." And he has been a good parent for his own children.

Whitney is married to Mary Pat and has raised two sons and two daughters. Now, he gets to have fun with his three grandchildren, as well.

Whitney has lived and worked on his tree farm for 28 years. He has been an active member of the Catholic Lexington Dicese, participating on the Finance Advisory Board and the Board of Education. He is also a bridge director at the Lexington Bridge Club, where he is a life master.

Whitney said he agrees whole-heartedly with the mission of CASA of Lexington.

"If a child is abused or neglected, then CASA should help find a loving, permanent home for that child," he said.

Family court Judge Lisa Hart Morgan, second from left on bottom, swears in five new CASA volunteers over Zoom on Nov. 23, 2020.

Five new volunteers from Fayette and Bourbon counties were sworn in as Court-Appointed Special Advocates the week of Thanksgiving. They are among a growing number of people who are choosing to help abused and neglected children during these very trying times.

The new CASA volunteers were sworn to confidentiality by family court Judge Lisa Hart Morgan in a virtual ceremony held over Zoom. It is the fourth such virtual ceremony the nonprofit CASA of Lexington has held since the pandemic began, swearing in a total of 49 new volunteers.

Judge Morgan told the new volunteers that CASA advocacy has had a huge impact on the futures of children involved in her court, which covers Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties.

“I started in this position in 2015, and we did not have a CASA program in any of the three counties. We now – thankfully, thankfully, thankfully – have them in all three,” she said. “It has been just such a tremendous resource for everyone involved in the dependency and neglect process. It’s been especially helpful to me, and of course to our families.”

CASA volunteers are regular community members who complete a 30-hour training, currently offered in a completely virtual format by CASA of Lexington, and then are assigned to family court cases involving child abuse and neglect. The volunteers visit with the children regularly, interview adults involved in their lives, and file reports and recommendations with the judge on what would be in the best interest of the children.

The pandemic has complicated things greatly for family courts across the state, as they switch to virtual formats and plans in individual cases are delayed or changed.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison said sometimes, a child’s CASA volunteer may be the only one who was able to actually see a child and assess the situation in between court hearings.

“We have been hearing from all five of our judges … how important the CASA reports are in helping them have more pieces of the puzzle to make a more informed decision,” she said. “I know Judge Morgan is tickled to have more volunteers coming to the Bourbon County court … right now looks a little different. We are pivoting in lots of different ways.”

Judge Morgan told the five newest CASA volunteers she is grateful for the people who are stepping up right now to fill such an important need.

“During this time where resources are stretched so thin, we know that more of these kinds of concerns are going on, kids aren’t in school – it’s just becoming even more and more of a critical role, this advocacy for the children,” she said. “I do thank you all so much for the tremendous time and commitment that you have decided to devote to these families … I think it does make a huge difference in the court system and in these families’ lives.”

CASA of Lexington switched to offering virtual training for new CASA volunteers over the summer, as the pandemic prevented in-person gatherings but the need for more volunteers continued unabated.

“This has looked a little different, but it seems to be working well and we’ve had multiple classes go through the guided learning, which is what the online training is called,” she said. “And they have been sworn in and are actively working cases, so it’s going well.”

CASA of Lexington’s next virtual trainings with open seats will begin in mid-February. New volunteers must be 21 years old, pass a background check and complete their training before being appointed to a case. For more information, email info@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.

Watch Online

See highlights from the Nov. 23 virtual swearing in on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/tTeLSrQWRJs

Dusty Cummins, left, and Josh Cummins participate in Thursday’s CASA Angel Tree lighting event at Dan Cummins of Georgetown.

Georgetown, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2020) – The CASA Angel Tree, filled with names of abused and neglected children from Scott County, was lit up Thursday morning at Dan Cummins of Georgetown. Minutes later, attendees at the tree-lighting ceremony had chosen to sponsor every single child who appeared on the tree.

This was the first year for the CASA Angel Tree in Scott County. That’s because CASA of Lexington just expanded services into the county this year. Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers spend time with children who have suffered abuse and neglect, interview adults involved in the children’s lives and advocate for the children’s best interests in court.

The 2020 Scott County CASA Angel Tree

In all counties where CASA of Lexington operates, the nonprofit organization runs an annual CASA Angel Tree program, allowing community members to sponsor children in the local court system by purchasing them holiday gifts from their wish lists.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison said the program is off to a fast start in Scott County. The local office is already open at 109 N. Court St. in downtown Georgetown and a Volunteer Manager is already attending court.

“We’re excited that we actually already have five CASA volunteers serving here in Scott County, which is pretty crazy because we haven’t been here that long and they are actively matched with children,” Jamison said. “We know that the need is huge. Fortunately, Scott County is one of the fastest-growing counties, but unfortunately, you have one of the highest percentages of child abuse and neglect in the state of Kentucky. And that’s even worse than it sounds because Kentucky is the top state for child abuse and neglect right now.”

The CASA Angel Tree event was held at Dan Cummins of Georgetown on Cherry Blossom Way. The Cummins family was instrumental in helping CASA of Lexington launch in Bourbon County several years ago, and they are supporting the newest expansion into Scott County now.

“We have such a growing community here in Scott County. So many positive things are happening,” Josh Cummins said. “But along with a lot of change, you have children who can fall into this circumstance. You have a time with the coronavirus and COVID, which has probably increased alcoholism, other abuses, and it all falls onto the kids who are caught in the cycle. … It’s our job to break that cycle.”

Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington also spoke at the tree-lighting ceremony.

Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington speaks at the Scott County CASA Angel Tree lighting event Thursday.

“As a former educator and principal for 27 years, I know how important it is to have that one person in your life, in the lives of these young people who are struggling and put in difficult circumstances,” he said. “If you have that one person, it makes a difference. It can be all the difference in turning your life around and giving you hope. … I’m grateful for CASA.”

Jamison said last year, there were 176 substantiated new cases of child abuse and neglect in Scott County. Those are children who could all potentially benefit from having a CASA volunteer appointed to their cases in Scott County family court.

Jamison encouraged attendees to become CASA volunteers themselves, donate to CASA of Lexington or become “Friends of CASA” and lend their talents to support the organization. One thing everyone can do to help, she added, is tell their friends and family about what CASA volunteers do and why it matters.

“We really depend on word of mouth and people sharing about the services of CASA,” she said.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison, right, speaks to virtual attendees of the CASA Angel Tree lighting on Facebook Live Tuesday morning.

Lexington, Ky. (November 10, 2020) – Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton helped highlight the needs of abused and neglected children in Fayette County Tuesday morning, when she lit the annual CASA of Lexington Angel Tree.

The tree represents the holiday wish lists of 182 Fayette County children who have suffered abuse or neglect. Sponsors can pick children from the tree and purchase them gifts – a process being handled virtually this year due to the pandemic.

“The pandemic has been so hard on many people … it has been especially hard on these children,” Mayor Gorton said during the virtual CASA Angel Tree lighting ceremony, streamed live on Facebook.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton flips the switch and lights the CASA Angel Tree at CASA of Lexington's office Tuesday morning.

But the pandemic has also “brought out the best in Lexington,” Mayor Gorton said. “We have good people in Lexington who do this sort of thing, have a great heart. We are a generous community. Through the (CASA Angel Tree) program, we make sure that local children who are in need have a Christmas, have a holiday.

“CASA and its dedicated volunteers serve a special purpose in our community. In difficult situations, they focus on what’s in the best interest of the child,” Mayor Gorton continued. “… They provide stability in the lives of these children.”

James H. Frazier III with the McBrayer Law Firm, the sponsor of the CASA Angel Tree kickoff, announced the firm’s members had already stepped up to sponsor holiday gifts for more than 70 of the 182 CASA children on the tree.

“As always, the McBrayer Firm is proud to be a sponsor and proud to participate in this wonderful organization,” said Frazier, who is Managing Member of the firm. “It’s been a tough year for all of us. It’s been a hard year for this law firm, for all law firms, for all folks. And these kids have had a tougher year than all of us put together.”

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison explained the nonprofit is asking community members to step up and sponsor children, as well, so that every child with a CASA volunteer in Fayette County can have a slightly brighter December.

“During 2020, as I’ve become overwhelmed, I’ve stopped and thought, ‘What can I do right here, right now?’” she said. “For me, CASA is one of those things we can do right here, right now.”

Sponsoring a CASA Angel Tree child looks a little different this year, thanks to the pandemic. Instead of picking an envelope off a physical tree, sponsors can email angeltree@casaoflexington.org to sign up. Preferences such as boy/girl or age range can be listed in the email. Sponsors will receive their child’s wish list, as well as information about how to drop the gifts off to CASA of Lexington.

“You don’t even have to leave your couch, if that’s where you’re at,” she said.

Jamison noted there are other ways community members can help, as well:

• An Amazon wish list of frequently requested gifts is available at bit.ly/casa-angel-tree-2020, enabling supporters to buy one or two gifts, which will then be allocated to whichever children still need additional gifts.

• Donors can help cover the cost of providing a CASA volunteer (about $1,000 annually) by visiting www.casaoflexington.org and clicking “Donate Now.”

• Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer and making a difference in the future of local children’s lives can ask for more information by emailing info@casaoflexington.org or apply by visiting www.casaoflexington.org/advocates.

During the tree-lighting ceremony, Mayor Gorton announced she is sponsoring a little girl from the tree.

“I just want to urge our citizens that even in a pandemic, one of the worst years we’ve ever had in many ways … let’s make sure every child has a wonderful Christmas,” Mayor Gorton said.

Watch online: The CASA of Lexington Fayette County Angel Tree lighting ceremony can be watched on the organization’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CASAofLexington.

Paris, Ky. (November 6, 2020) – Bourbon County community members stepped up to make the holidays a little brighter for 57 abused or neglected children Friday morning.

All of the children on the CASA Angel Tree at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick were picked within minutes at a special tree-lighting ceremony held at the Paris dealership.

Sponsors who chose a child from the tree will purchase gifts for the child from his or her wish list. CASA of Lexington, which advocates for the children in Bourbon County family court, will deliver the sponsors' gifts to the children's caretakers in time for the holidays.

"It's just such a blessing to have an opportunity like this once again," said Josh Cummins of Dan Cummins. "... You don't have to have a position to be a leader; you just have to capitalize on the opportunities that are in front of you ... you can effect change within yourself, within your home, within your friends, within your community, that will end up changing the world."

Josh Cummins said the gifts purchased by sponsors will be going to "children who simply need to know that they matter."

"They feel like they may not matter deep into their adulthood," he said.

CASA of Lexington recruits, trains and supports court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteers who are appointed by family court Judge Lisa Hart Morgan to cases involving child abuse and neglect in Bourbon County. CASA volunteers often serve as role models and mentors for the children, in addition to being the only ones in the courtroom tasked solely with advocating for the child's best interests.

This was the fourth year that Dan Cummins has hosted the CASA Angel Tree event. This year looked a little different because of the pandemic: Attendees congregated outside, wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Catered meals were provided in individual packages for attendees to take with them.

"2020 definitely has been a year where sometimes — have you felt hopeless?" Josh Cummins asked. "... It's been a year where we feel like we have no power over so many things."

But the Angel Tree event is one way people can take action and feel a little less hopeless, he continued.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison picked up on that theme when she explained what the lives of some CASA children are like.

"I have to stop and think about the children we serve. It's not 2020 that's full of changes for them — they live amidst changes their entire lives, often," she said. "For us, a child could be in seven foster homes in six months."

Josh Cummins' brother, Dusty, also encouraged those in attendance to think about how good their lives have been, and to give back generously to those in need.

"Every single one of us is just completely blessed," he said. "Help the children, please."

Jamison said CASA of Lexington is extremely grateful to Dan Cummins for the support they have provided over the years and the role they played in bringing CASA services to Bourbon County. The CASA Angel Tree event is one way community members can help make things a little less chaotic and little happier for children in need, she said.

"These children often stay in the community after they turn 18 and become adults," she said. "So why would we not do everything we can to make them contributing community members and productive members of Bourbon County?"

Amy Dailey rejoined the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors this year after previously serving a four-year term. She is a vice president and branch manager for Community Trust Bank and her career in banking spans more than 30 years.

"I primarily process loans — residential mortgage and construction loans and consumer loans," she said. "I have always loved the lending piece of my job moreso than the other pieces."

Dailey is married with one daughter, two "bonus daughters" and three grandchildren. She and her husband took in one of their grandchildren after he was removed from his parents' home, which is how she discovered court-appointed special advocates.

"My husband and I were in the family court system and learned of CASA. Not long afterwards, I applied for a board position," she said. "We still have custody of our grandson, who is turning 18 next month. Thankfully, his mom got her life turned around and he is not reunited with her. I serve as a board member to promote CASA and share awareness of the organization within the community."

Dailey's term as a board member lasts through July 1, 2024.

Brian Wright, left, and Ellen Wood are CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for November 2020.

CASA of Lexington has named a pair of newer court-appointed special advocates as Volunteers of the Month for November.

Brian Wright and Ellen Wood are recent additions to CASA of Lexington’s nearly 200 volunteers: Wood began advocating for abused and neglected children in the fall of 2019 and Wright began early in 2020.

Wright was nominated by his Volunteer Manager, Mary Beth, who said he has jumped into the work “with both feet and an unending supply of enthusiasm.”

“Brian loves a challenge, and I love having a male volunteer who welcomes the hard stuff, whether it’s a case with a lengthy history – and a pile of documents to match, an out-of-county placement or just hard-to-read tweens and teenagers,” she said. “Brian has established himself as a respected voice in court, and I often hear that the judge has quoted from his report. Brian really cares and I think that’s something the kids can sense.”

Wright said he is semi-retired and was looking for a way to contribute toward a meaningful effort when he found out about CASA of Lexington.

“I realized immediately it would be the perfect fit for me,” he said. “I’ve always been concerned about children in need and didn’t think there was anything I could do. And then CASA appeared and I was set.”

CASA volunteers spend around 10 hours a month visiting with children who are involved in family court cases due to abuse or neglect. They become role models and positive adult figures in the children’s lives, and they advocate for each child’s best interests by providing the judge with regular reports.

“This is a serious commitment, but as serious as it is, it is that much more rewarding,” Wright said. “The idea you can have a major impact on a child’s life is the absolute best feeling.”

Wood discovered CASA of Lexington when she did her practicum for a bachelor’s in social work with the nonprofit in 2019.

“I just loved the work so much and I admired the mission, so I decided that I wanted to take on a case,” she said. “It’s been super rewarding. I love getting to build relationships. With one of my kids, building a relationship over the past year has been the most amazing thing.”

Wood’s Volunteer Manager Cara said her dedication to writing very thorough reports for the judge has made a lasting impact for the children on her case.

“Ellen is generous, kind and fun,” she said. “Her ability to accept people where they are goes a long way with the children and families we serve.”

Wood said helping vulnerable kids is, for her, a great way to have direct impact on her community.

“Right now is a really crucial time. We need more CASA volunteers,” she said. “There are so many kids and families in need because of the pandemic and we need community members to step up and step into that role.”

For Fayette County family court judges Lucinda Masterton and Libby Messer, making difficult decisions about cases involving child abuse and neglect is a regular part of the job. One thing they say helps them make better decisions is the work of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteers.

Masterton and Messer spoke to the UK Women Lawyers Association this month about the vital importance of the local CASA program. CASA volunteers advocate for children’s needs in 49 of the 50 states and more than half the counties in Kentucky, but many in the public are unaware of just how useful the unique program has proven to be for family court judges.

“The first thing I read is the CASA report,” Masterton told the WLA members who attended a virtual training session Oct. 21. “It’s important for us to hear about all the details that are going on with these children. And the CASA reports do that for me.”

The two judges, CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison and CASA volunteer Julie Butcher spent an hour explaining how CASA works. Volunteers undergo a comprehensive, 30-hour training and then are assigned to cases involving child abuse and neglect. The volunteers meet regularly with the children on their cases and develop a rapport with them. They also interview adults involved in the children’s lives and have a court order granting them access to essentially all records concerning the children. CASA volunteers condense this information into regular reports to the judge and make recommendations based on what would be in the best interest of the child.

“If we are not working on that case or with the children, there’s no one providing the exact same role as a CASA volunteer,” Jamison said. “Our objective and mission is to find a safe and permanent home for that child. We are there solely for what’s in the best interest of the child.”

Judge Messer said CASA volunteers’ recommendations may concern big decisions, such as reunification with parents or termination of parental rights. But many recommendations also focus on smaller things that can make a big difference – like in the case of one girl who was struggling to read. It turned out the girl just needed glasses, but no one else had caught the problem until a CASA volunteer was appointed to the case.

“It’s a very, very different relationship than what a social worker has, whose focus is divided between, ‘What can I do to help these parents get better?’ and then, ‘Are these kids OK and safe where they are?’” Messer said. “It’s much more (on the) surface for the social worker than it is for the CASA.”

Messer said CASA volunteers also provide a much greater depth of knowledge than guardians ad litem – attorneys appointed to represent children’s legal interests.

“The CASA and the GAL often work hand-in-hand, but the GAL is there to make sure the legal interests of these children are being met … whereas a CASA volunteer is truly involved with this child,” she said. “They are that steady person the child can rely on and they are the voice for the child in court on those little things that maybe wouldn’t be something that an attorney is looking for.”

Judge Masterton said she believes it is “amazingly vital” to have someone who can be focused on a single child or case like a CASA volunteer can. She pointed to one case involving a child who had been removed from the home due to medical neglect, and problems were continuing after the removal.

“This kid was in serious trouble and really needed to be seen by a therapist,” Masterton explained.

But it wasn’t until the first review hearing in the case that the CASA volunteer on the case pointed out the child still had not received therapy, even though it had been 90 days since the removal.

“In 90 days, this kid had had a whole raft of social workers and there was nobody else who really was paying attention to what was going on with the kid – except the CASA,” Masterton said. “That CASA’s voice moved the case forward and I started having reviews much more often because of that. I wanted to make sure we didn’t get lost in the shuffle again.”

Masterton said unfortunately, getting lost in the shuffle can happen all too easily for abused and neglected children. It’s a problem CASA volunteers help prevent – when there are enough volunteers.

“Our social workers are incredibly overworked. They have way too many cases. They can’t pay the kind of attention to these children that we need to,” she said. “So then we have situations where the kids just kind of disappear. We need a CASA for every kid in care. Because that’s the only way we can feel comfortable that this kid’s needs are absolutely being met.”

In 2019, there were more than 1,100 new substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect in Fayette County alone. Since cases often last 18-24 months, there could easily be more than 2,000 children with cases in the family court system at any point in time. Last year, CASA volunteers served 534 of those children, meaning hundreds more did not have a CASA volunteer to ensure they were not overlooked.

Masterton said she clearly sees the need for more CASA volunteers.

“I would highly recommend that anyone who has a little bit of time and has a great big heart – and doesn’t mind having it broken – signs up to be a CASA,” she said.

Julie Butcher, a local attorney, also spoke to the WLA members about her experience as a CASA volunteer.

“I had a bit of overload at first,” she admitted, but added that support from the CASA of Lexington staff was outstanding. “It really is probably the best thing I’ve ever done outside of family stuff. It’s very important work, it’s fulfilling, and yes, you truly can make a difference in children’s lives.”

CASA of Lexington Available for Speaking Engagements

If you would like CASA of Lexington to speak to your club, organization or group, please email info@casaoflexington.org. Presentations can be provided in-person or virtually, for any length of time. To watch the full presentation to the UK Women Lawyers Association, visit https://youtu.be/_Ql29vLFRc8.

Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2020) – Cardinal Office360 is one of the Governor’s Service Business Award winners to be honored during a virtual broadcast from Serve Kentucky this Saturday.

Cardinal was nominated by CASA of Lexington for the prestigious award because of the company’s Partners in Giving program, which has given more than $300,000 to local nonprofit organizations.

The Partners in Giving program allows Cardinal customers to designate a nonprofit to benefit from the purchases they make. Cardinal gives 5% of the customer’s total purchases to the designated nonprofit. The program is similar to the larger give-back initiative Amazon Smile, run by Amazon, but Cardinal’s program gives back a percentage 10 times larger.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison nominated Cardinal for the Governor’s Service Award. She said Cardinal has given more than $31,000 to CASA of Lexington through the Partners in Giving program.

“In addition to this partnership, Cardinal has been involved in a variety of other ways,” Jamison wrote in her nomination letter. “Cardinal has purchased a table at CASA of Lexington’s largest fundraiser, Bourbon and the Bayou, and been involved in that event. At this event, they often introduce other businesses and customers to the work of CASA, who then get involved with the organization. Some become CASA volunteers, others have become sponsors of events and many buy tables of their own to future events.

“It is honestly impossible to determine the multiplying effect Cardinal has had on positive contributions to CASA of Lexington.”

The Governor’s Service Awards are given out annually by Serve Kentucky, an agency within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. This year, Cardinal was one of two businesses to receive the Business Service Award, along with Abound Credit Union in Hardin County.

The 25th annual Governor’s Service Awards presentation will be held virtually at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. The live stream will be available on Serve Kentucky’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ServeKY) and linked to from CASA of Lexington’s Facebook page (facebook.com/CASAofLexington). The event can also be accessed directly here: https://fb.me/e/kUQel8jjQ.

About Cardinal Office360

Cardinal Office360, formerly Cardinal Workplace Solutions, has been serving businesses throughout Kentucky, southern Ohio and Indiana since 1954. The office supply company’s annual sales exceeded $20 million last year. The company can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/CardinalOffice360.

About CASA of Lexington

CASA of Lexington’s trained and supervised volunteers advocate through the family court systems in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties to ensure all victims of child abuse and neglect are safe and thrive in a permanent home. Changes such as where the child lives or goes to school, changes in social workers, teachers and friends, as well as the uncertainty of what life holds, can be very overwhelming for these children.  The CASA volunteer is there to help recognize what the child needs, work to minimize these detrimental changes, and advocate for positive changes for the child’s future. Learn more at casaoflexington.org, by calling (859) 246-4313 or by emailing info@casaoflexington.org.

Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 19) – CASA of Lexington has been selected as one of six local nonprofit organizations that will receive three-month media campaigns through iHeartMedia Lexington.

The iHeartMedia Lexington Community Partnership Program is creating in-kind media campaigns for CASA of Lexington, the Alpha Beta Lambda Chapter of Lexington, Amachi Central Kentucky, the Carnegie Center, Newton’s Attic and Visually Impaired Preschool Services Central Kentucky.

Each nonprofit will be given a designated on-air station personality to serve as public ambassador. iHeartMedia Lexington will work with each of the nonprofits to create a three-month marketing campaign based on their specific needs. CASA of Lexington will be launching a marketing campaign intended to recruit more volunteers to serve as court-appointed special advocates — particularly male volunteers, who are currently underrepresented in CASA of Lexington’s volunteer base.

“Our CASA volunteers often serve as role models for their CASA-appointed children. For many young boys who have been abused or neglected, adding a strong male role model to their lives can be incredibly beneficial. We hope to find more men willing to fill that need through this partnership,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “iHeartMedia’s Local Advisory Board chose to partner with us on this campaign because they understand how changing the course of child’s life today can have huge positive impacts for generations to come.”

The iHeartMedia Lexington Local Advisory Board (LAB) is comprised of more than 15 community leaders, educators and entrepreneurs, who selected the recipients through an extensive application process. The mission of iHeartMedia Lexington’s LAB is to harness the resources of iHeartMedia to improve the quality of life for Central kentuckians by bringing visibility to organizations and programs strengthening the Bluegrass region.

“iHeartMedia Lexington is committed to the local community,” said Earl Jones, Metro President of iHeartMedia Kentucky. “It is important that we use our reach to support organizations that are working to better our community and help its children grow into responsible adults.”

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Lexington market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations, live events, data and its digital businesses and platforms. Its stations include 98.1 The Bull, 104.5 The Cat, 100.1 WKQQ, Real 103.9, Mix 94.5 and Newsradio 630 WLAP, among others. CASA of Lexington’s media campaign is expected to launch in the spring of 2021.

CASA of Lexington Board Member Miranda Wyles, center, accepts the Governor's Volunteer Service Award at CASA of Lexington on Oct. 7. At left is Bourbon County Judge-Executive Mike Williams; at right is CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison.

Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2020) – CASA of Lexington Board Member Miranda Wyles has been given a prestigious Governor’s Service Award for her tireless devotion to volunteering for good causes, including the expansion of court-appointed special advocate services.

Wyles is a recipient of the 2020 Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes individuals who have met a community need in an innovative or effective way. The Governor’s Service Awards are given out annually by Serve Kentucky, an agency within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Wyles was nominated by CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison for her instrumental role in expanding CASA of Lexington’s service area, number of volunteers and number of children served.

“Mrs. Wyles has provided leadership, worked to develop a cohesive strategic plan, attended board development workshops and trainings, participated in statewide CASA trainings and interacted with our National CASA leadership,” Jamison said in her nomination. “In the past four years, the program has experienced explosive growth in terms of number of children served, number of active CASA volunteers and awareness in the community.”

In 2016, CASA of Lexington was providing advocates for abused and neglected children in Fayette County family court, but nowhere else. Wyles connected with CASA of Lexington when Jamison spoke to the Paris Rotary Club. Over the next year, Wyles and Jamison worked together to put a framework in place that would allow CASA of Lexington to begin providing services in Bourbon County.

Today, CASA of Lexington serves abused and neglected children in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties.

Jamison also noted Wyles dedication to a wide variety of volunteer efforts beyond CASA of Lexington: She has been actively engaged with the Bourbon County Backpack Program, the Bourbon County Christmas Concert, the Spooktacular on the Steps event in Paris, the Paris Pike Corridor Commission and the Bourbon County Rotary. She is also a Women’s Inclusion Leader for Edward Jones, the founder of Hope Park and the co-founder of ARTWALK in Bourbon County.

“In addition to all of her volunteer work – and I’m sure I have left some out – she owns a local business and is a mother of two young children,” Jamison wrote. “I can think of none more deserving than Miranda Wyles and she would be an excellent choice for the Governor’s Service Award for Volunteering.”

Video Online

A video interview with 2020 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner Miranda Wyles can be watched on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/9yl_kdZMCac.