Janie Johnston has spent more than 20 years building relationships with children as an elementary teacher. For the past year-plus, she has been putting those same skills to work as a CASA volunteer.
Johnston became a CASA volunteer in June 2025 after her friend Debra Gabbard kept telling her the role was perfect for her. The more Johnston looked into it, the more she agreed.
CASA volunteers like Johnston are matched with abused and neglected children with open family court cases. They visit the children regularly, gather information, and advocate for what the children need.
“I really enjoy building relationships with the children and their family,” Johnston said. “I feel like my experience as a parent and teacher make it easier to forge a strong bond.
“There can be so many different people in and out of these children’s lives as their families struggle with the challenges that brought them into the court system. I am glad to be a consistent presence in their life as they navigate their changing landscapes.”
Johnston has advocated for four children during her first year as a volunteer, and she was recently selected as a Volunteer of the Month.
“Janie loves building relationships with her CASA kids and their families,” said Weida Allen, Johnston’s Volunteer Manager in Bourbon County. “Being a schoolteacher, she understands the importance of a good relationship for serving a child well.”
Allen said Johnston’s court reports are always on time, she attends all of her court hearings, and one of her best qualities is traveling wherever her CASA kids might be placed – without hesitation.
When she’s not volunteering, Johnston enjoys making art — especially using stained glass and resin — and riding her bicycle. She and her husband have two sons and a golden retriever.
Johnston said juggling teaching full-time, family responsibilities, and serving her church along with CASA makes for a full life. She finds the addition of CASA volunteering to that life extremely rewarding because she can help children who don’t feel heard or seen.
“To help families find their new normal and encourage all of them is why I invest my time as a CASA volunteer,” she said.
Johnston said that when she was looking for volunteer opportunities, she couldn’t find anything else that gave her the opportunity to truly impact children’s lives as directly as CASA.
Her advice for anyone considering it: “Just do it!”
For more information about CASA or to fill out a volunteer application, visit www.casaoflexington.org.