CASA Volunteers of the Month Mary Geyer and Morgan Richardson

Seven years ago, Mary Geyer saw CASA of Lexington written up in the Lexington Herald Leader. Today, she’s just as excited about the mission of CASA as she was when she first learned about the organization. 

“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” Geyer said. 

“It isn’t easy knowing sometimes kids can’t keep living with their parents, but it matters that we find a way to work for what’s best for each child — to get them into a stable place where they can thrive.” 

She plans to continue working hard to see those resolutions. “It’s the progress that keeps me going. Seeing children get into better situations is what it’s all about.”

Cara MacLeod, Geyer’s volunteer manager, says, “Mary is an absolute delight to work with. She has a great amount of patience and is dedicated to her case. She has a collaborative relationship with service providers and works with compassion toward the family.”

To anyone considering becoming a CASA volunteer, Geyer says, “You can make such a difference in the child’s life. It’s all about getting a child out of a bad situation and into a healthy environment.”

Mary’s patience, compassion, and dedication are the reason she has been named one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month. 

Morgan Richardson was also named one of the Volunteers of the Month

Richardson has been a CASA for a year and a half and has cases in both Fayette and Scott counties.

Richardson found herself drawn to CASA after hearing the statistic that Kentucky had the highest child abuse rates in the country.

More than one out of every 50 children in Kentucky is abused or neglected, according to the most recent federal Child Maltreatment Report.Kentucky’s rate of abuse and neglect is more than double the national average, and the state has had the highest rate for three years in a row.

“I wanted to get involved with helping vulnerable populations. I was shocked to learn Kentucky had the highest rates of child abuse in the country.” She said, “I felt compelled to work with CASA because of my master’s work in social work.”

Richardson was assigned her first case in February of 2020. As a result, she was not able to meet in person with anyone. She said it was challenging to work a case without being able to meet anyone face-to-face. Richardson is looking forward to continuing her case work without having to communicate only virtually. 

“I am hopeful. I want to see what more I can do for these children,” she said.

Richardson encourages others to get involved with CASA. “If you enjoy working with children and you’re looking to be involved and help a vulnerable population you should be a CASA volunteer. Help stop the cycle of abuse.”

Gracie Johnson, left, and her mother, Jill Johnson, are a CASA volunteer team and the CASA Volunteers of the Month for June 2021.

Gracie Johnson grew up watching her mom serve as a CASA volunteer, advocating for the needs of children in the family court system.

“Seeing her passion for helping children who have been abused and neglected was so inspiring,” Gracie said.

Gracie’s mom, Jill, spent more than a decade advocating for the best interests of kids before she stepped down from the volunteer role.

“I really loved connecting with the kids, and knowing that I was doing something in their life that would make an impact and make their lives better and safer,” Jill said.

After Gracie graduated from college, she decided she would become a CASA volunteer like her mom had been. But she wasn’t going to do it alone – Jill was going to do it with her.

“I had a year before starting my graduate program and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get more involved with CASA,” Gracie said.

The two signed up for volunteer training with CASA of Lexington and were sworn and re-sworn in on Oct. 22, 2019. During their 19 months as a CASA volunteer team, the mother and daughter have advocated for eight children.

 “Working side-by-side with my mom as advocates has been one of the best experiences!” Gracie said.

This month, they’ve been selected as the CASA of Lexington Volunteers of the Month.

“Jill and Gracie have worked two cases very professionally,” said Dennis Stutsman, the pair’s Volunteer Manager. “They have been terrific at finding ways to work with relatives, and with parents with drug and behavioral challenges.”

Jill and Gracie both said serving as CASA volunteers together has been a very rewarding experience.

“CASA of Lexington is fantastic working with their volunteers and it is extremely fulfilling work,” Jill said.

Gracie said while she was initially worried about balancing her graduate-school work – she is studying social work -- with her CASA responsibilities, she has been pleasantly surprised to discover how “possible and fulfilling” the work is.

“Not only am I able to help the families I work with, I am also learning so much about resilience, strength in vulnerability and the power of advocacy from my time volunteering,” she said.

Fred Seitz discovered CASA of Lexington after he had been volunteering with another organization. He wanted to do something to give back, but he wasn't satisfied with the work he was doing.

"First of all, there was no training. So it minimized the responsibility of the job," he said. "After less than a year, I felt I wanted to do something more, something better."

Fortunately, he attended a luncheon where CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison was speaking about the impacts CASA volunteers have for kids.

"I said, 'That's where I want to be. That's where I want to spend my extra time,'" Seitz said. "So I joined, and I was an advocate for about three years."

Seitz now serves on the CASA of Lexington board. He misses working directly with the children, but he also enjoys working with the other board members to guide the organization forward.

"I enjoy making a difference in the lives of kids through the board and it's work," he said. "I also enjoy meeting wonderful people with something bigger than themselves in mind."

Seitz was born in the Bronx, and his family moved to a New Jersey farm called Brookdale when he was 5 years old. He grew up around horses. So, after serving in the Marines, he returned to horses.

"The day I got out of the Marine Corps, my wife and three kids got in a car and came to Kentucky," he said.

Seitz leased farm land and built his business over time. Eventually, he was able to buy a farm, and he named it after the place he grew up — Brookdale Farm. Today, he runs the Woodford County Thoroughbred farm with some of his children — he has two sons and three daughters, and many of them work in the horse industry, either at Brookdale or on their own.

When Seitz thinks back about his time as a volunteer advocate prior to becoming a board member, he remembers one 16-year-old boy he served who had significant issues.

"I was assigned this boy and watched him progress over time," he said. "It was wonderful."

He said he's thankful for the work all of CASA of Lexington's volunteers are doing for their CASA children today.

"Keep up the good work," he said. "You are doing great."

Fayette County Family Court Judge Libby Messer, center top, swears in 11 new CASA volunteers and two staff members over Zoom on Tuesday evening.

Eleven central Kentuckians were sworn in as volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children Tuesday by Fayette County Family Court Judge Libby Messer.

The new Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers will now be matched with children who have suffered abuse or neglect. They will advocate for the children's best interests, helping ensure the children receive services and are returned to safe, permanent homes faster.

"Thank you so much. CASA means so much to all of us in family court," Judge Messer told the new CASA volunteers during the virtual swearing in ceremony. "I know I speak for all four (Fayette County Family Court) judges when I say that you are one of the most important people in our courtroom. Your reports are always fantastic and you give us so much insight into what these kiddos need and what their lives are really like."

The new CASA volunteers completed a 30-hour training provided by CASA of Lexington prior to being sworn in. The training prepares community members of all backgrounds to serve as CASA volunteers. Once each volunteer is assigned to a case, they will spend 5 to 10 hours a month visiting with the children on the case, interviewing adults involved in the children's lives and writing reports for the judge.

"You spend more time with these children than anybody else," Judge Messer told the new volunteers. "We appreciate that. We appreciate your dedication and your willingness to take this on. It's difficult work, but it's absolutely worthwhile work and needed work and we're so happy to have you."

Last year, volunteers with CASA of Lexington advocated for the best interests of 583 children in the family court systems of Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties. Research has shown children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school; more likely to return to a safe, permanent home faster; and half as likely to re-enter the foster system later.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds more children in the family court systems served by CASA of Lexington who could benefit from having a CASA volunteer appointed to their case.

"These 11 new volunteers will probably help more than 20 children each year," said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. "We need more people like them to give a few hours of their time each month. It's volunteer work that truly makes a lifelong difference in the lives of these kids."

Judge Messer said she hopes to see the new CASA volunteers in her courtroom soon.

"I can't wait for you to get started," she said.

In May 2020, just a few months into the pandemic, Fawn Torkelson took her first case as a CASA volunteer. She is one of dozens of people in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties who have chosen to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children even as the pandemic has made everything more complicated.

"I was lucky enough to have a career in pediatric nursing, until I stayed home to raise my two daughters. I realized that I was soon going to have an empty nest and wanted to be able to volunteer for an organization that helped children," Torkelson said. "CASA of Lexington was a perfect fit for me."

Torkelson's hard work on her first case led her Volunteer Manager Liz Noffsinger to nominate her as a CASA Volunteer of the Month.

"Fawn has shown a phenomenal amount of patience and dedication to her case," Noffsinger said. "She has diligently collected countless medical records and school records and has developed strong relationships with the school counselors and the social worker. She is tenacious with her communication with a child in her case."

Torkelson said she has found it very rewarding to see how many people are working to help children and their families so that children can remain with their families.

"Judges, lawyers, social workers and so many amazing CASA volunteers and mentors all care and have concern for these kids and their families," she said. "My Volunteer Manager Liz is so amazing and comes at everything with such a positive attitude. She makes me feel like I have the most fantastic ideas, and really makes me feel like the work I am doing is valuable."

Torkelson said she would encourage anyone interested in helping children to look into becoming a CASA volunteer.

"I was a little intimidated at first with the possibility of writing court reports and speaking in court, but you really get to know your case and really can speak to what is in the best interest of the child," she said. "And if you are nervous about anything, your CASA Volunteer Manager is a great source of ideas and advice."

When Cynthia Balistocky and her husband moved from California to Kentucky, one of her requirements was that her new home have a CASA program.

"Being a CASA volunteer is a top priority in my life and is by far my favorite 'job,'" she said.

Balistocky, who served as a CASA volunteer with Voices for Children in San Diego, chose to live in the heart of the Bluegrass. She signed up to be a CASA volunteer with CASA of Lexington, and has advocated for the best interests of five abused and neglected children over the past two and a half years.

Balistocky's dedication and persistence in being a voice for vulnerable children is why CASA of Lexington is naming her a Volunteer of the Month for May 2021.

"Cynthia is incredibly dedicated to the kids she serves. She creates connections with both the parents and children on her cases," said Beka Schwartz, Balistocky's Volunteer Manager in Bourbon County. "What makes her an extraordinary volunteer is that she's always persistent and professional when working with other people on the case and travels hours to visit her CASA kids. She's never afraid to speak up in court to ensure her CASA kids have a voice."

Balistocky is one of 17 CASA volunteers in Bourbon County, who are advocating for 36 abused or neglected children. CASA volunteers are regular people who spend 5-10 hours a month visiting the children on their case, interviewing adults involved in the children's lives, and providing reports to the judge on the case.

Balistocky said she finds it rewarding "whenever I am that voice that made the difference for my children."

"The biggest reward is seeing them benefit from my advocacy and the subsequent thank you I receive. That’s what it’s all about," she said. "... The first time you see your child making a mad dash toward your car or you get that big bear hug, you’ll know you made the right choice to become a CASA."

Kay Yates is CASA of Lexington's Board Chair. She has served on the board since November 2015, helping lead the organization during many years of growth.

Yates is Associate Vice President of Philanthropy for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which includes 16 separate colleges with 70 campuses across the state. She worked at four-year universities earlier in her career, but has been with KCTCS since 1989.

Yates learned about CASA programs when she was working in Henderson, Kentucky. After she moved to Lexington, she connected with CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison.

Yates was interested in being a CASA volunteer advocate, but told Jamison she would do better as a volunteer on the board right now, due to her work schedule.

"I can still play a role in improving things for abused and neglected children," even if advocating directly for children isn't the right fit right now, she explained.

Yates said she does plan to become a volunteer advocate in the future, once she reaches retirement.

"I really do think that what we do matters," she said. "It bothers me that Kentucky has such a high rate of child abuse and neglect."

Yates' family includes one daughter, two granddaughters and two sisters, as well as some nieces and nephews.

To all of CASA of Lexington's volunteers, Yates had this to say: "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You perform a tremendous service. Without our dedicated volunteers, there would be no CASA. I have the utmost respect for the staff, as well as all of our volunteers."

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

You can see highlights from the virtual swearing in ceremony on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/cl0IYTW3uF4

Eight community members were sworn in as new Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers with CASA of Lexington this month. The volunteers completed a 30-hour virtual training and will now be assigned to advocate for abused and neglected children in the family court system.

“Thank you all for agreeing to be CASA volunteers … and to open your hearts to these children,” Fayette Family Court Judge Lucinda Masterton told the new volunteers during a virtual swearing in ceremony held over Zoom.

CASA volunteers take the oath of confidentiality with a judge before they are assigned to cases matched with their preferences and backgrounds.

“We are so fortunate that we have CASA … because the voice of the CASA is so vital for these children,” Masterton said. “Other than me, you are often the only consistent person in these children’s lives. They need you … it’s just so important for us to hear your voice.”

CASA volunteers visit regularly with the children on their assigned case, interview adults involved in the children’s life and review educational and medical records of the children. They write reports for the judge that help better inform decisions and lead to better outcomes for the children.

Nationally, a child who receives a CASA is more likely to receive services such as therapy or educational support; more likely to succeed academically, and half as likely to re-enter the foster system after being placed in a permanent home.

CASA children also spend on average five and a half months less in the foster care system, saving thousands of taxpayer dollars.

NEXT TRAINING

CASA of Lexington is holding an in-person training for new CASA volunteers beginning June 15. A full schedule of training dates and more information about applying is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training.

“We really do want to say thank you to you and your loved ones for making this commitment,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “You finished 30 hours of initial training. You’re here at graduation to be sworn in. Now the real journey begins of getting matched with a child or sibling set and being able to advocate on behalf of them.”

Jamison assured the new volunteers that CASA Volunteer Managers will be available to support them in their work, by joining them on home visits and offering advice and guidance from their experience.

“They’re always in court with you as well,” she said. “They’re there to guide you through the process.”

The new volunteers join more than 230 active CASA volunteers at CASA of Lexington. Last year, CASA volunteers in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties advocated for 583 children. But the number of new cases of child abuse and neglect in 2020 was more than double that, and the total number of abused and neglected children with open cases could be four times as big.

“You are so needed,” Jamison told the new volunteers. “And this is going to change your life.”

“That’s all true,” Masterton said. “And it’s important.”

CASA Volunteers of the Month for April 2021 Pat Riddell and Carrie Gordy.

CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for April are Pat Riddell and Carrie Gordy.

Riddell has been a CASA volunteer for almost two years and has advocated for three abused and neglected children during that time.

Like many people, he hadn’t heard about Court-Appointed Special Advocates or the need for them to help abused and neglected children in central Kentucky. He plays pickleball, one of the fastest growing new sports in the nation, and one day a pair of fellow pickleball players who are also CASA volunteers told him about what they do.

“Upon hearing what CASA was all about, I decided I need to look into becoming a volunteer,” he said. “For years, I had been dismayed by media accounts of the abuse and neglect of a great number of children, especially in Kentucky. But I was not aware of any way to help with this horrible reality.”

Since completing his volunteer training, Riddell has been an outstanding advocate for children’s needs, said his Volunteer Manager Cara.

“He has been patient and thoughtful in working his case and works well with collateral sources including relatives and schools,” she said. “He is understanding, compassionate and empathetic, and he maintains an objective point of view when working his cases.”

Riddell said he enjoys the sense of accomplishment he gets from working a case and seeing a positive change in a child’s case.

“As a CASA volunteer, you become more aware of the magnitude of the problem of child abuse in our own state,” he said. “For anyone thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer, I would strongly encourage them to do it. The amount of support and guidance you receive from the CASA staff is excellent.”

CASA of Lexington’s other Volunteer of the Month, Carrie Gordy, is a veteran CASA volunteer who has advocated for 10 children over the course of almost four years. She is a Scott County resident, and last year became the first CASA of Lexington volunteer to serve in that county.

A retired pediatric nurse practitioner, she discovered CASA of Lexington when she was looking for a way to continue helping children after she retired.

“I read an article about CASA and got very excited about the possibility,” she said. “I did the CASA training and the rest is history.”

Gordy’s Volunteer Manager Mary Beth said she is willing to tackle difficult situations and take on complex cases.

“Her tenacity makes her a great fit for the types of cases we see in Scott County, which tend to be very involved both at the family and provider levels,” she said. “Carrie truly sees the value in her role as a CASA volunteer, and I think that’s why she works her cases so thoroughly, to provide the judge with the complete picture of a child’s life.”

Gordy said she loves how being a CASA volunteer lets her interact with and help children in need.

“I love being able to contribute in some small way to happy endings for those kids,” she said.

If you want CASA of Lexington’s amazing courthouse facility dog, Matilda, to win a 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Award, there are several ways you can help:

First, you can vote for Matilda every day through May 6 by visiting bit.ly/matildaherodog. If you have a reminder app on your phone, you can set a daily reminder and put that URL in the note to make it quick and easy!

Second, you can share one of these photos of Matilda and use one of our message templates to create your own social media post! Click on the images below to download them, and feel free to copy/paste our suggested posts, modify them or write your own!

Suggested post message 1: Matilda with @CASAofLexington is the only Kentucky dog up for the 2021 #HeroDogAwards therapy dog award! Please join me in voting for her every day through May 6 at bit.ly/matildaherodog! #MatildaIsAHero

Suggested post message 2: Kentucky is lucky to have such an amazing dog as Matilda with @CASAofLexington! She helps abused children testify against their perpetrators. Please vote for Matilda by visiting bit.ly/matildaherodog and help her win the #HeroDogAwards! #MatildaIsAHero

Suggested post message 3: I just voted for Matilda, Kentucky’s only certified courthouse facility dog, in the #HeroDogAwards! Let’s make sure Matilda wins and makes it onto the Hallmark Channel this fall! Tell everyone #MatildaIsAHero by voting at bit.ly/matildaherodog. @CASAofLexington

A central Kentucky dog who helps abused and neglected children is in the running for a 2021 American Humane Hero Dog Award and an appearance on the Hallmark Channel.

Matilda is a 4-year-old lab/golden retriever mix who works for CASA of Lexington, an organization that provides volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in the family court system. Matilda is the only certified facility dog in the state. She has traveled all over Kentucky to visit children and help them through difficult experiences.

Matilda helps children calm down and open up about abusive experiences they have had. She can also go with them when they have to undergo an examination for sexual abuse, or if they have to testify against a perpetrator in court.

“One of the most valued qualities of Matilda is the unconditional love and attention that she gives to the children with whom she interacts,” said Liz Noffsinger, CASA Canine Handler. “Matilda has uncanny instincts when working with children. She seems to know just what they need. If they need calm, she is calm. If they need play, she is playful. She’s a wonderful ice breaker when getting to know the children that we work with.”

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards searches out and recognizes dogs who do extraordinary things in seven different categories. Matilda is competing in the Therapy Dogs category, which requires all nominees to be credentialed. Matilda was trained and is certified through Canine Companions for Independence.

The public can vote in the competition through May 6 at herodogawards.org. To visit Matilda’s voting page, you can go to bit.ly/matildaherodog. After voting concludes, the winners will be honored on the Hallmark Channel’s nationwide broadcast of the American Humane Hero Dog Awards in October.

“CASA of Lexington and Matilda are known around the state and we have lots of friends who are helping cast votes for her every day,” said Melynda Jamison, CASA of Lexington Executive Director. “If everyone who hears about Matilda takes five seconds to vote for her, I’m confident she can win. Then the whole nation can learn about the amazing work she does right here in Kentucky.”

Online

Hero Dog Awards: Herodogawards.org

Matilda’s voting page: bit.ly/matildaherodog

CASA of Lexington: www.casaoflexington.org

New CASA volunteers and a new CASA interpreter are sworn in by Fayette County Family Court Judge Traci Brislin, far right second from bottom, in late February.

Abused and neglected children in central Kentucky have gained six new CASA volunteers who will advocate for their best interests.

The six new court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteers and one interpreter were sworn in by Fayette County family court Judge Traci Brislin at the end of February.

“We always have a lot of abused and neglected kiddos that we’re dealing with, but I think that it’s even worse during this pandemic. I’m sure there’s a lot of kids out there that we don’t even know about,” Brislin said during the swearing-in ceremony, which was held virtually over Zoom. “CASA makes our jobs as judges so much easier because they get us information that we need to help make the best possible decision for these kids in care.”

Brislin said she appreciates how CASA volunteers have gotten creative during the pandemic as they continue to visit with children and advocate for them.

“What you are about to embark on is very important – it’s crucial. It’s really life-changing type of stuff,” she said.

CASA of Lexington has been offering online training for new volunteers since the pandemic began, enabling those with a heart for helping children to make a difference during a very trying time. In 2020, the organization’s 235 volunteers advocated for 583 children.

Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive services to help them with learning disabilities or coping with past trauma. They are also far less likely to re-enter the foster care system after finding a safe, permanent home.

“There are hundreds more children still in need of a CASA volunteer right here in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties,” CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison said. “These new volunteers are helping fill that need. We need even more people like them.”

The next CASA of Lexington training for new volunteers begins June 15. More information is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training.

WATCH ONLINE

You can watch highlights from the virtual swearing-in ceremony on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/-Xe9GoEStkc.

Fifty-one CASA of Lexington volunteers have been awarded the federal President’s Volunteer Service Award for giving of their time to a worthy cause.

The PVSA award program recognizes the nation’s most outstanding volunteers for contributing large amounts of time to the organizations they support.

A total of 48 CASA volunteers with CASA of Lexington earned the Bronze-level PVSA for working more than 100 hours in 2020. Many of those volunteers far exceeded the 100-hour threshold. Two CASA volunteers earned the Silver-level PVSA for contributing more than 250 hours. One CASA volunteer earned the Gold-level PVSA for working more than 500 hours.

Each volunteer is receiving a Bronze, Silver or Gold pin or coin from the PVSA award program, as well as a personal thank-you letter from the U.S. president.

“Serving as a CASA volunteer is a significant time commitment of about five to 10 hours a month. But it’s also incredibly important and extremely rewarding work,” said Melynda Jamison, CASA of Lexington’s Executive Director. “We are proud of the work done by all of our volunteers. Receiving recognition from such a high level is welcome and our volunteers deserve it. At the same time, they would be the first to tell you the real reward is helping children find safe, permanent homes and changing their lives forever.”

In 2020, CASA of Lexington’s 235 volunteers spent almost 14,000 hours (583 days) advocating for abused and neglected children. That includes time spent visiting with the children, speaking with adults involved in their lives, writing reports and advocating for the child’s best interests in court.

The PVSA was created in 2003 to “recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity,” according to the PVSA. The award “honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.”

Barbie Carter, left, and Kristie Epperson are CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for March 2021.

Both of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for March got involved out of a desire to make a real difference for vulnerable children in their communities.

“CASA is such a real way to help,” said Barbie Carter, one the Volunteers of the Month. “We get directly involved in the system and get to know the families and children we are helping. And, as a side benefit, being a CASA volunteer helps you understand how our social services and the legal system work for our kids and ways we can get involved to help make it better.”

Carter is a three-year veteran CASA volunteer who has advocated for the best interests of eight children in the Fayette County family court system. She is one of many CASA volunteers who work at Lexmark.

“Barbie is an absolute joy to work with,” said Volunteer Manager Cara MacLeod. “Her passion for her CASA children shines through. Barbie is kind, patient and compassionate. She collaborates well with others to understand what services are available for her CASA children. And she is persistent in making sure they receive the services they need for success.”

Kristie Epperson is also a Volunteer of the Month for March. Epperson was sworn in as a CASA volunteer in October and has already jumped in to make a difference for a child on her first case.

“I was searching for a way to help children in our community outside of my job as a teacher,” Epperson said. “A woman in my Bible study had just finished training to become a CASA volunteer and she was encouraging some of us to sign up. I talked to her about it and decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did!”

Volunteer Manager Liz Noffsinger said Epperson’s attention to detail and well-written court reports have really made a difference for the child on her case.

“The judge said because of Kristie’s court report, she feels as if she knows this child on a more personal level,” Noffsinger said.

CASA volunteers visit with abused and neglected children on a monthly basis. They also interview adults involved in the children’s lives and have access to records concerning the children. They compile reports for family court judges, providing them with a level of detail about the children’s lives that others do not have the time to produce. As a result, judges are better able to order services that benefit the children, and children are half as likely to re-enter foster care after obtaining permanency.

“It is a time investment and some things can be sad to see. But it is also very rewarding because of the people you meet and the ability to make a positive impact in someone’s life,” Carter said. “And these amazing people will definitely make an impact on your life as well!”

Epperson said becoming a CASA volunteer is a great opportunity for someone looking to make a real difference for children.

“You will be an advocate for the best interests of the child. Don’t worry about your abilities,” she added. “You will receive excellent training and will have great support throughout. Do it!”

You still have time to sponsor an abused or neglected child through CASA of Lexington and make Ryan Lemond run a mile.

In case you haven’t seen CASA of Lexington’s virtual Bourbon and the Bayou event yet, Lemond (of Kentucky Sports Radio fame) agreed to run – not walk – 1 mile for every child who is sponsored through March 1.

Ryan emceed the virtual gala with CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison, who pitched the idea of running for kids to Lemond during the Feb. 12 event.

“You’ve got this sneaky little smile on your face. I don’t know what you’ve cooked up here,” Lemond said as Jamison began proposing her friendly challenge.

“I’m thinking before the 2022 Bourbon and the Bayou, you run one mile for every kid who gets a sponsor,” Jamison said. “And maybe you’ll be in some new duds by then!”

“I need to get in a little better shape because of all my COVID weight,” Lemond joked. “So if we sponsor 100 kids, I need to run 100 miles before next year’s Bourbon and the Bayou?”

“That’s right but don’t be a whiner about it,” Jamison joked, before explaining for every mile Lemond ran, she would run.

Jamison, an avid runner, also agreed to train Lemond so he could accomplish the challenge.

“Can I start by walking?” Lemond asked.

“Yes, but those won’t count,” Jamison said with a smile. “You have to start where you’re at.”

A run tracker for Lemond’s progress at meeting the challenge has been set up at casaoflexington.org. Already 43 children were sponsored at $1,000 per child leading up to and during the virtual event. More sponsorships are still coming in. After the March 1 deadline, CASA of Lexington will announce the final number of miles Lemond will have to run.

Normally an in-person “Fat Friday” gala at the Carrick House, the Bourbon and the Bayou event went virtual this year due to the pandemic. The event is CASA of Lexington’s largest single fundraiser each year. It has helped the non-profit provide volunteer advocates for hundreds of abused and neglected children in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties.

CASA volunteers visit monthly with children who are in family court cases and provide reports to judges, helping them make better informed decisions. Children who receive a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive services they need, more likely to do well in school, and half as likely to re-enter the foster care system after finding a safe, permanent home.

Supporters sponsor children through Bourbon and Bayou by covering the costs associated with giving a child a CASA volunteer for one year – $1,000.

Thanks to generous sponsors and donors and a wildly successful silent auction, this year’s virtual event once again made it possible for well over 100 children to receive advocates. But the pandemic also limited the fundraiser in some important ways, and the fundraising total is currently well below what it was in 2020.

“There are hundreds of abused and neglected children in the family court system right now who would have brighter futures if a CASA volunteer was available to take their case,” Jamison said. “The more people who step up and sponsor a child now, the more of those children we can serve.”

You can sponsor a child by visiting http://bit.ly/BB21-sponsor. You can also watch a recording of the 2021 Bourbon and the Bayou event at https://BandB2021.givesmart.com. And you can keep up with Lemond’s running progress at www.casaoflexington.org.

CASA of Lexington’s February Volunteers of the Month are both in their first year of advocating for abused and neglected children. They chose to speak up for abused and neglected children during one of the most difficult years in recent history, and both say they have found the experience extremely rewarding.

Jenica Hall

“It is extremely heart-wrenching to witness what these children had to endure, but so gratifying when you know you have had a big impact on their life,” Jenica Hall said.

Hall has been a CASA volunteer since June 2020, and she has worked hard on her first case to make sure a teenage girl is getting therapy and can rebuild a healthy relationship with her parents, said Dennis Stutsman, Hall’s Volunteer Manager.

“Jenica has worked to make sure the child feels safe in her placement, and has assistance in meeting her goals for her educational and future employment plans,” Stutsman said. “Jenica has been a great support in helping her teen to advocate for herself in maintaining independence as she charts her own life forward.”

Hall said she heard about CASA of Lexington from a friend, Crystal Shepard. Despite the pandemic, she signed up for CASA volunteer training and completed CASA of Lexington’s virtual training course over the summer.

“What I have found to be the most rewarding is I am advocating for these children when they cannot, and helping them have more opportunities and resources they may not have had before,” she said. “CASA is the most rewarding organization I have ever been a part of!”

Terri Potter, also a CASA Volunteer of the Month for February, said she is also very glad she made the decision to volunteer.

Terri Potter

“After retiring from teaching, I was looking for a volunteer experience in which I could help children and allow me to have a flexible schedule,” she said. “I had a friend who was fostering a child and was working with a CASA. She explained what a CASA did and how important that was for children who are in the court system.”

Potter reaches one year of CASA volunteering this month, and she just closed her first case. She has already been assigned to another.

“I have been grateful to be an advocate for children who aren’t able to advocate for themselves, and hopefully help families find the best possible outcomes for their unique situation,” she said. “I was hesitant at first because several people I talked with thought volunteering as a CASA might be depressing. I am new at this, but what I’ve found so far is that there are so many really good people – like social workers, judges, attorneys and others – who are doing their best every day to help children in Kentucky. I find that uplifting!”

Potter’s Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins said she is kind, patient and objective.

“She recently had a case that included cultural and language barriers, but Terri collaborated with numerous parties to ensure those barriers were being addressed,” Adkins said. “I believe if Terri had not been involved, working closely with a parent, relatives and others, this case would have had a different outcome. Her determination and hard work kept this case from falling through the cracks. It’s not often that when a case closes, an attorney who represents a parent thanks the CASA for their dedication to the child and family, but in this case, that’s exactly what happened.”

CASA of Lexington was able to train Hall and dozens of other new volunteers in 2020 thanks to a new 100% online training curriculum that keeps everyone safe while they learn how to advocate for children’s best interests. CASA of Lexington’s next online training begins Feb. 23; another round of trainings are slated to begin in April. For more information, email info@casaoflexington.org.

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.”