Yesterday was a truly blessed day! For well over two years, the Lord has laid a deep burden on my heart to serve children who aren’t getting the strong, loving start in life they deserve—the most vulnerable among us. With my plate finally a little lighter, I felt clearly called to step into this new chapter and become a CASA Advocate.
I shared the news when I started my training, and your love, prayers, and encouragement meant more than you know—thank you from the bottom of my heart! Yesterday, it became official.
My husband Mike stood right by my side as I was sworn in (he took the video and pictures!). Judge Cheryl Vaughan administered the oath just before an adoption hearing, so I’m sure her day was blessed too. She was one of our speakers during training and has compassionately presided over foster cases in Wise and Jack Counties for years. We are so grateful to have such a caring judge in this role.
As a CASA Advocate, my deepest prayer is to always serve these precious children and families with love, wisdom, and truth. The goal is to help reunite children with their parents when it’s safe and right. When that’s not possible, we advocate fiercely for what is truly in the child’s best interest—giving a voice to those who need it most.
For those who may not know, when CPS becomes involved, children are often removed from their home and placed in foster care with a family or in a group home. They receive a court-appointed attorney and a CPS caseworker. In our area, they also get a CASA Advocate. Unlike the others who carry many cases, a CASA volunteer focuses on just one child (or sometimes siblings). We walk alongside them, listen deeply, speak up in court on their behalf, and do everything we can to help them heal and thrive.
This work is about more than advocacy—it’s about living out our faith through service to the “least of these.” I’m humbled and honored to answer this call. Thank you for standing with me!