Since December 2022, Lisa has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her role, creating a trail of positivity and warmth within our community. Lisa's journey as a CASA began with a young pre-teen, and right from the start, she aimed to forge more than a connection—she sought to build trust. Each visit evolved into an adventure as Lisa and her CASA child would take walks, enjoying a stop for ice cream, engaging in conversations about school, friends, and dreams. They would craft bracelets together, immerse themselves in word searches, bonding over shared interests, and crafting cherished memories.
Yet, Lisa's generosity transcends the ordinary. She is the advocate who goes above and beyond, surprising her CASA child and resource family with unexpected treats, such as a mini Thanksgiving feast from Chick-fil-A. Her thoughtful gestures extend beyond mere activities or gifts; they convey care, nurture a sense of belonging, and infuse moments with joy and comfort.
When asked about how she got involved with CASA, Lisa shared, “Several years ago, my niece and I were looking for a way to help children and families in the foster care system. I believe we came across a CASA post on Facebook. At that time, CASA was collecting items for duffel bags to give kids in foster care. Through the years since then, I continued to follow and share information about CASA, but never got involved on the advocacy side until last year.”
Cara, the Salem County Coordinator, marvels at Lisa's unwavering dedication, stating warmly, "It has been an absolute joy to work with Lisa. She has done a tremendous job building a trusting relationship with her pre-teen youth by planning her in-person visits in advance and bringing some type of activity. From walks to get some ice cream and arts and crafts activities, I can see why Lisa’s youth looks forward to her CASA’s visit. Lisa has navigated the case dynamics beautifully while continuing to support the best interest and needs of the child in her environment. Lisa’s sweetness, generosity, and desire to do as much good as possible are evident in her work as a CASA. I am privileged to work side by side with Lisa and can’t wait to see all the continued good work she does."
Lisa's passion extends beyond her CASA role, encompassing hobbies such as art, photography, mentoring, and reading—reflections of her creative and nurturing spirit. Her personal experience with family in foster care adds depth to her understanding and empathy.
Reflecting on her experience with CASA, Lisa shared, “There are a lot of people involved in these cases, each with their own purpose and client/party interest. Having the role as a CASA helped me spend time with my CASA child in a way that gave an opportunity to get to know her better in an effort to give her hope that someone was there to help be her voice and advocate for her the best I could given the time we spent together.”
Driven by the chance to instill hope in a child's life, Lisa expresses,
“My strongest drive to remain a CASA comes from being able to offer a child the assurance that someone stands by them, showing they're not alone in their journey.”
Lisa also extends her support by offering homework help through Facetime, showcasing her commitment to the children's well-being beyond scheduled visits.
Reflecting on her experience working with CASA of CGS, Lisa commented, “The employees at CASA are wonderful and very helpful, especially at times when I wasn’t sure about something or wanted to talk through specifics for my court reports and/or next steps. Anytime I had a question or needed clarity, Cara (my supervisor), was always there to help me.”
Lisa embodies the essence of advocating for children in need—imbuing their lives with hope and positivity, one thoughtful gesture at a time. As John Wesley wisely said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.” CASA of CGS is privileged to have Lisa's unwavering dedication and compassionate spirit making a profound impact on the lives of these children.
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