Anthony Myers Movement helps families dealing with illness
Seven Berks County residents took an oath last week to serve as advocates for children in court cases involving abuse and neglect.
These new court-appointed special advocates (CASA) will soon be matched with children who have suffered abuse and neglect. They will be tasked with advocating in the best interest of the child, helping to ensure that children receive the services they need and return faster to safe homes.
Nancy McCullar, executive director of CASA of Berks County, said the addition of these new volunteers brings the total number of court-appointed special advocates in the county to 51.
Before being sworn in, the CASA volunteers completed 30 hours of training to prepare them to serve in their new roles. Once each volunteer is assigned to a case, they will visit the child they are assigned to advocate for twice each month to observe their care and listen to their concerns.
The volunteers are specially trained to consider issues relevant to the best interests of the child, which may be different than the wishes of the child or the interests of other parties. They stay involved in the case from the time of appointment until the child achieves permanency.
One of these new volunteers is Jennifer Michael.
After eight years traveling the world in the Navy and several more years as a defense contractor, Michael said she is looking
forward to her responsibilities working with children.
“It means a lot to me that they have someone speaking on their behalf,” she said. “I see where there is a gap, and I see a lot of moving parts. I hope that being a CASA can help alleviate their trauma and make the process easier for them. If it helps one child, it’s worth it.”
Michael was sworn in with six others during a ceremony at the Berks County Services Center. The group makes up the 12th class of volunteers since CASA of
Berks County was founded in 2015.
John Deegan, who is also a member of the latest class, said he is pleased to join a team of advocates who helped more than 100 children last year.
Deegan spent 37 years serving in various positions at Wernersville State Hospital. He said he has a special interest in working with children who reside in residential facilities.
“I think people in that
situation should have an advocate and I look forward to being one,” Deegan said.
McCullar said CASA volunteers serve as an extension of the eyes and ears of the judge in dependency court cases. They work with legal and child welfare professionals, teachers, family members and others to ensure the judges have all the information they need to make potentially life-changing decisions for each child.
Diane Marabella, who became an advocate in 2019 and now serves as
vice president of the CASA Berks Board of Directors, said she is proud of the work the agency does.
“I think to be able to devote some of your time to give these kids a voice during traumatic times...I think that’s just awesome,” she said.
The following are the seven new CASA advocates:
• Kelly Conrad
• John Deegan
• Elizabeth Geynovich
• Dacey Horohoe
• Jennifer Michael
• Maureen Stoll
• Keanna Young
“I see where there is a gap, and I see a lot of moving parts. I hope that being a CASA can help alleviate their trauma and make the process easier for them. If it helps one child, it’s worth it.” — Jennifer Michael, new volunteer