CASA volunteers touted as “tenacious”
November 4, 2021
Board President Lisa Laur and Board Vice President Megan Logan welcome guests at Northeastern Indiana CASA’s annual volunteer banquet. Click here to see more photos from this event.
AUBURN – A banquet was recently held to celebrate the volunteers serving Northeastern Indiana CASA and to applaud their efforts this year. Each year the nonprofit gathers staff, community leaders, board members, and area judges to honor the CASAs who volunteer to advocate for children in five counties – Dekalb, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben and Whitley.
CASA provides a voice for powerless children involved in judicial proceedings and advocates for their best interests while striving to improve their circumstances and quality of life. At the volunteer banquet, Executive Director Brooke Griggs described the volunteers as “tenacious.”
“I tried to think of one word I wanted to focus on tonight to appropriately describe your volunteer work. I thought of all the basic words that come to mind, but those words just weren’t hitting the mark. Then the word ‘tenacious’ hit me.”
Griggs said she looked at synonyms for “tenacious” and found words like “steadfast,” “stubborn,” “unwavering,” “faithful,” and “loyal.”
“It was then I determined that I can’t box my volunteers into one word, one description, because my volunteers are so much more than that,” said Griggs.
In 2020, amidst the pandemic, Northeastern Indiana CASA served 464 children within its five counties. The year also brought about 30 adoptions and 400 children were reunified with their biological families. During this trying year, Griggs said volunteers were forced to move into virtual visits with children, virtual team meetings, and even virtual court hearings.
“It was no easy feat, but you all moved with the circumstances and marched forward to continue advocating for your children.”
This year, Northeastern Indiana CASA has served 446 children and seen many changes within its organization. Long-time volunteer turned staff member Kathy Bock retired in July which meant Megan Swaidner, who was originally hired on as an administrative assistant, was promoted to a GAL role serving DeKalb County. Kacie Good was hired as the new administrative assistant, previously a volunteer serving Steuben County.
“As the program grows, changes, and adapts, one thing is always the same,” said Griggs. “We have the most steadfast, stubborn, unwavering, faithful, loyal, and tenacious CASA crew around.”