CASA Marshall County almost 20 years in 2020

“Change a Child’s Story”

MARSHALL COUNTY — Marshall County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is in its 19th year. Current Director of CASA Marshall County Chastity Keller, former Director of CASA Marshall County Melody Kruger, current volunteer, and former Director fo CASA Marshall County Haley Kittrell gathered together at The Coffee Lodge in Plymouth to reminisce about the establishment of the organization in Marshall County, reflect on the progress made, and share about their commitment to children and hope for the future.

Kittrell: “See the kids through to permanency.”

Kittrell said, “I volunteered from 2009 until I became Director (CASA) in 2012. I had a mentor when I was in grade school who was a CASA volunteer in a different county. She had told me about CASA and I knew long term that I wanted to be a volunteer.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do professionally, but I knew that I wanted to volunteer. Once I started volunteering I knew that’s where I was supposed to be.

I was the Director for about four years. I had lots of cases during that time and they just pull at your heart. Just to be a part of that and seeing a child through to permanency is the most engaging thing.”

Keller defined permanency, “Permanency is a safe, long term home in their best interest. Where is the best interest for those children?” That could

mean returned to their home, adoption, or guardianship.

Kittrell still works professionally in another professional of child focused service.

Kruger: An educator who wanted to do “more”.

Kruger has been involved in Marshall County CASA since it was established in 2001. Having been an educator, Kruger saw children with unmet needs and her heart went out to them. She wanted to do “more”.

Kruger said, “My former life was as an educator. I was a teacher for 16 years and an elementary principal for

16 years. I saw every day as the kids, children, came to school, they brought so much with them that they were dealing with.”

Kruger noted that the challenge of having basic needs unmet for some children made it difficult for them to focus on their education. “They came hungry. They came with medical needs unmet. Clothing that wasn’t always appropriate for the season. So many needs. And then we were asking them to read, and write and do math.

So, I saw those basic needs needed