Hudson County CASA could not achieve its goals without the life-changing work of its volunteers.
Meet some of the CASA volunteers making a difference in foster children's lives:
Cristal joined Hudson County CASA as a volunteer in 2016 because she always had an interest in child and family justice. Cristal’s second case was with a teenage boy, and since then she has been eager to take cases with teens. “In most of my cases I’ve noticed that some think that teens will never get adopted, but that is not true at all!” Cristal’s first case is ending with the 17-year-old getting adopted, which is what started her love for working with CASA.
Cristal has a passion for volunteering, and she is so happy she made the decision to become a CASA Volunteer.
“We really are sometimes the one constant person in a child’s life. When no one else is fighting for them, we are their voice and we are making a difference in their life. That is why I am proud to be a CASA Volunteer,” Cristal explained.
Cristal works with Case Supervisor Dana LaMothe, and Dana has loved working with Cristal. “Cristal has connected so well with the teen boys she is assigned; but she also works amazingly well with caseworkers, resource parents, and other people in the child’s life. Cristal is a strong advocate both in and out of court for the children on her cases. By next Spring, she will have two teenage boys who have been adopted – incredible!”
Diane joined Hudson County CASA as a volunteer in February of 2018 because she wanted to start paying it forward and get involved in the community. Diane is currently working on a case with a 10 year old boy, and she believes this case demonstrates how important her role is as a CASA Volunteer. “I can really focus on the child and his needs. It truly feels like I am the one constant in his life that he can fully depend on,” Diane explained.
Diane is very happy she made the decision to become a CASA Volunteer. “The amount of personal growth and knowledge I have received boosts my physical and mental well being,” Diane said.
Diane works with Senior Case Supervisor, Theresa Drennan, and Theresa is thrilled to collaborate with Diane. “Diane has been such a tremendous support for her 10 year old CASA child and his resource family, who have four biological children of their own. She advocated for a family membership to the town pool this past summer, which gave all of them a chance to spend quality time together. Diane has also established a wonderful relationship with the biological mom and is encouraging her to complete substance abuse treatment and work towards a plan of reunification with her young son. Despite her own demanding schedule, Diane always makes herself available to those involved in her child’s life and maintains great relationships with everyone. ”
Carol joined Hudson County CASA as a volunteer in 2011 two years after she retired because she wanted to find a way to get more involved in the community. “I decided to find a volunteer job that would allow me to give back, and Hudson County CASA seemed like a perfect fit. The rest is history.”
Carol is currently working on her 5th case as a CASA Volunteer, and this case allowed her to help a child realize her full potential. “The structure of the CASA organization and the guidance it gives volunteers allowed me to persuade the court to find tutoring for the child, which her grandmother dutifully took her to three times a week,” Carol shared, "I was so happy to hear that she had opted for going to a high school that was across town because she knew it was a better school and she would get a better education there.” Carol believes the best part of working as a volunteer is the connection made between those who work for and with CASA.
Case Supervisor and Assistant Program Director Kyung Lee has worked with Carol since she started as a volunteer, and Kyung is impressed with Carol’s dedication to CASA. “Carol has been a CASA volunteer since 2011. She has worked on 4 cases, advocating for 18 children in total during her time. Carol has not missed a monthly visit! For all the children she has worked with, she has been that one constant adult in their lives, and everyone involved knows who to turn to when they need to get something done for the children. Carol never gives up and I love working with her!”
