Thursday, December 27, 2007

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Cheri D.

Role: Friends of CASA Board Member and Marketing Chair


What interested you in the CASA Program?

Both of my children were in abuse and neglect situations prior to their adoption. Going through the adoption process gave me a unique perspective on not only the people hurting the children, but also those trying so hard to help and the road blocks that they often must overcome in the interest of the child. The CASA program is a fantastic way of putting more resources to bat for our children.

Tell us a little bit about your previous and current work and/or volunteer experience and/or education.

I have a bachelor's degree in marketing and an MBA. My work experience encompasses over twenty years in consumer and business-to-business marketing.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I love to cook, especially as a way of dealing with stress. I can't seem to finish a book - I have four going right now.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"It is what it is."

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

About ten years ago, someone said to me, "You should be a CASA."


We welcome comments! Please click on the "Comments" link below.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

CASA Volunteer's Response to Detroit Free Press Articles about Ricky Holland

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

Many people in Michigan are already aware of the Ricky Holland case.

The Detroit Free Press has recently written a 14-part series of articles describing Ricky's tragic story. The articles mark two years since his death.

Please read a Washtenaw County CASA Community Member's response to these articles (fourth commentary from the top).

Feel free to click on the "Comments" link below and tell us what you think!

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Jonathan (Jon) H.

Role: CASA Volunteer


What interested you about the CASA program?

I saw it as an opportunity to serve children and families in need.


Tell us a little bit about your current and previous work and/or volunteer experience and/or education:

Graduate of Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana . . . B.A. in Education, M.A. in Educational Administration, University of Michigan . . . Graduate work in Criminal Justice Studies, University of Detroit . . . Teacher, Van Buren Public Schools, Belleville, Michigan, seven years, . . . Police Officer, City of Belleville, seven years . . . Principal, Van Buren Public Schools, Belleville, twenty-one years . . . Numerous summers as counselor, program director, & director, camps for handicapped children and adults . . . Married (Debi), father of three. . . Currently retired . . . Chairman, Foster Care Review Board serving Jackson, Hillsdale, & Lenawee counties, and Board Representative, State Advisory Committee . . . Volunteer Mediator, Community Dispute Resolution Program serving Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, & Monroe counties . . . Board member, Community Living Services, Inc. (private, not-for-profit organization which provides services and supports for people with developmental disabilities), Wayne . . . Volunteer Driver, Meals-on-Wheels, Onsted . . . Member, Volunteer Corps, Croswell Opera House & Fine Arts Association, Adrian . . . Volunteer Admissions Ambassador, Interlochen Center for the Arts . . . Board member, Interlochen Alumni Organization, Interlochen Center for the Arts.


What is a favorite quote?

You must give some time to your fellow man. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own; your brothers [and sisters] are here, too. - Albert Schweitzer


How did you hear about the CASA Program?

My wife heard a public service announcement on the radio describing the role of a CASA and seeking volunteers.


Please feel free to comment on this profile (click on "Comments" link below). Thanks!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

CASA In the News Feature - Aged-Out Foster Youth

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

Please check out a touching article from the Louisiana Weekly:

No Home For the Holidays: A Former Foster Youth's Experience
http://www.louisianaweekly.com/weekly/news/articlegate.pl?20071217b

It is written by Amanda Johnson, a Louisiana Weekly contributing writer, a sophomore at Savannah State University in Georgia, and -- an aged-out foster youth.

For more CASA-related news, please take a look at our newest blog feature (located at the top of this page): the "CASA in the News" feed.

Please feel free to click on "Comments" below and tell us what you think of this article.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Grace W.

Role: CASA Volunteer


What interested you about the CASA program?

The one-on-one experience with a child, knowing that I have a chance to make a huge difference in one person's life.


Tell us a little bit about your previous Work and/or Volunteer Experience and/or Education:

B.A., History, Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1998-2002
M.S., Organizational Leadership & Administration, Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI, 2005-2007


Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I ran my first marathon in August 2007 in the Black Hills of South Dakota.


What is your favorite quote of all time?

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission."

- Eleanor Roosevelt


How did you hear about the CASA Program?

Ann Arbor News


Please feel free to comment on this profile. Thanks!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Jimmy's Story - My Experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)*

by Mary, CASA Volunteer

*Some details have been changed for confidentiality.


There is a little boy who provides the inspiration for my CASA work.

How I Met Jimmy

I met Jimmy* when he was two weeks shy of his ninth birthday, and he looked like a kid out of Disney central casting. He had blond hair, blue eyes magnified by eyeglasses, was a bit on the short side, and had a brilliant smile that melted your heart. The smile was usually accompanied by a quick glance to make eye contact, then he’d look away.

I met Jimmy at a large “team decision making” meeting, which occurs when a child in foster care is being moved from one home to another. He had recently been told that the relatives with whom he had lived for two years would no longer be his guardians. His history was documented in a five inch Department of Human Services (DHS) file—when the file is that big, you know it can’t be good.


Jimmy's History

Jimmy’s parents were substance abusers. He had lived with his mom for much of his early childhood, until at age 6, when he was removed from the home because of neglect.

He bounced among several foster homes for the next year, until a relative volunteered to house him. The plan was for his father to complete rehab, get a job, find housing, and regain custody. (Along the way, mom’s rights had been terminated because of lack of compliance with rehab).

After two years of trying to be clean, Jimmy’s father went back to the streets. Jimmy's relatives said they could no longer care for Jimmy. Jimmy’s maternal grandmother in Oklahoma offered to take him, and that plan was put in motion. Unfortunately, she is married to a man with a record for child abuse, and a home study caught that problem before Jimmy got on a plane. Kids in foster care, because of abuse or neglect often, experience multi-layered family dysfunction.

So after four family situations fell through, Jimmy had no one, and was in the hands of the court and DHS. At this point, the judge said this kid needs a CASA. I entered the picture.


A Child with a CASA

I wish I could tell you I made a huge difference, but in fact, someone else became the turning point. During the same week I was assigned as CASA, DHS “matched” Jimmy with a single woman who was seeking to adopt a child.

The first time I met Jimmy, he was also meeting the person who wanted to be his immediate foster mom and eventual adoptive mom. For the next year, I visited Jimmy and his foster/adoptive mom several times per month, helped her run interference with the DHS service providers, talked with his teacher, therapist, lawyer, etc., and helped Jimmy get adjusted to the idea of a non-relative adoption.

My most important role was to let Jimmy feel like someone was his voice in court, speaking for his best interest. Although the initial plan was for a quick adoption, his therapist, adoption worker, and I agreed that he needed more time, so while he lived with his foster mom, the adoption finalization was extended until he said he was ready, a year after moving to her home. They are doing well, and he is now part of a large, close extended family.


Please click on "Comments" below and let us know what you think of this article.