Volunteer Spotlight: Sabrina Fritz

Sabrina became a CASA volunteer in 2017 following her retirement. Since then, Sabrina has overseen 8 CHINS cases and advocated for a total of 15 children. Sabrina has taken cases in Steuben, Noble, Whitley, and DeKalb counties. Before her time as a CASA volunteer, she spent over 35 years working in elementary education, first a paraprofessional, then a teacher, and finally an administrator.

Elizabeth Gilbert: Everyday Hero

Liz has been a CASA volunteer for almost 20 years serving Steuben County! She has advocated for over 50 children! She and her husband were foster parents for 30 years, then segued into being CASA volunteers. Her husband, Stan served with her as a volunteer until he passed away in 2013. She and Stan had been married for 56 years. She has a large family, with nine children (birth and adopted) and over sixty members in her immediate family.

Diane Peachey: Everyday Hero

Diane has been a CASA volunteer for seven years. She has worked with thirteen children during that time. Last summer, a brother and sister case Diane was appointed to for five years and a single child case she served, since he left the hospital as a newborn, for the three years, were all adopted into great families. Their adoptions were an experience Diane was so thankful to share with the families.

Dave Sanders: Everyday hero

Dave Sanders has been a CASA volunteer in Noble County since January of 2019. He has overseen two CHINS cases and advocated for a total of five children. Dave grew up on a farm in Butler with his 8 brothers and sisters. Growing up, Dave liked to work on farm equipment and cars. Repairing cars is how he made his way through college to become a mechanical engineer. Dave is now on his 47th car and is partial to Mustangs.

Laura Smart: Everyday hero

Laura has been a CASA volunteer in DeKalb County since April of 2018. She has overseen 11 CHINCS cases and advocated for a total of 14 kiddos. Laura has two children and two grandchildren, ages 5 and 8. She has a degree in business which she did for years. She was later given the opportunity to shift into a social service career and began working with the senior/disabled population. Laura feels that her career has been beneficial to her work as a CASA volunteer.

Everyday Heroes: Meet Debbie

Sit down with Northeastern Indiana CASA's Executive Director Brooke Griggs and one of our volunteers, Debbie, to hear an insider's perspective on a volunteer's journey.

Brayton Pickard: Everyday Hero

Brayton has been a CASA volunteer since 2017. Since then, he has overseen 2 CHINS cases, 1 informal adjustment (IA), and advocated for a total of 6 children. He originally heard about CASA when he was in grad school for social work. Since then, it was something that always stuck in his mind as something that he hoped to do. Brayton is married and has three children. He was a social worker at Parkview Hospital for 8 years until the end of 2019 and is now mostly a stay-at-home dad.

Stan & Anne Ferguson: Everyday Heroes

Stan and Anne are a duo in Steuben County. They have been CASA volunteers for the past 10 years. During these past 10 years, they have covered eight CHINS cases and advocated for a total of 14 children. They became involved in the CASA program when they retired and wanted to do something together, to help others, especially children.

Brenda Campos: Everyday hero

Brenda Campos has been a CASA volunteer in LaGrange County since October of 2017. She has overseen seven CHINS cases and advocated for a total of 14 children. Brenda stated she loves being a CASA volunteer. In addition to her volunteer role, she is also a substitute teacher for Lakeland School Corporation. She also enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandchildren. In her free time, she likes going to the Casino!

Everyday Heroes: Meet Debra

Sit down with Northeastern Indiana CASA's Executive Director Brooke Griggs and one of our volunteers, Debra, to hear an insider's perspective on a volunteer's journey.

Susan Polly: Everyday Hero

Susan became a CASA volunteer in 2020 after retiring from teaching social studies to middle school students. Susan stated, “while working with these kids in education, I witnessed so many problems they encountered in their personal lives. It was hard to watch them struggle without really being able to help. Once I retired, I saw becoming a CASA volunteer as a way to help make a difference for these kids”. Since joining the CASA team, Susan has overseen 3 CHINS cases, 1 divorce case, and has advocated for a total of 11 kiddos.

Cheryl Weaver: Everyday hero

Cheryl has been a CASA volunteer in Steuben County since August of 2007. She has overseen 37 CHINS cases, 28 divorce/custody cases; overall Cheryl has advocated for more than 100 kiddos. Over 100 kiddos were provided a voice because of Cheryl. Cheryl was a 1st and 3rd-grade teacher for 22 years. She retired in 2006 and then started as a CASA volunteer nearly a year later.

Holly Andreas: Everyday hero

Holly has been a CASA volunteer in Whitley County since July of 2019. She has overseen three CHINS cases and advocated for a total of four children. Holly is a manager at a local medical device company, she is a mother of four, and in her free time she loves spending time with her husband and children. They are a very active family; they enjoy hikes, and her kids are in several activities that keep them busy.

Everyday Heroes: Meet Jackie

Sit down with Northeastern Indiana CASA's Executive Director Brooke Griggs and one of our volunteers, Jackie, to hear an insider's perspective on a volunteer's journey.

Everyday Heroes: Meet Rebecca

Sit down with Northeastern Indiana CASA's Executive Director Brooke Griggs and one of our volunteers, Rebecca, to hear an insider's perspective on a volunteer's journey.

Everyday Heroes: Meet Staci

Sit down with Northeastern Indiana CASA's Executive Director Brooke Griggs and one of our volunteers, Staci, to hear an insider's perspective on a volunteer's journey.

New leadership takes effect at CASA

Brooke Griggs was recently named Northeastern Indiana CASA’s executive director. Abby Gabet was also named as the organization’s volunteer coordinator. Both have previously served Northeastern Indiana CASA in other positions. Read more about this new leadership below!

Volunteers Complete Training

Seven volunteers recently completed Northeastern Indiana CASA's Fall Training. Twice a year, volunteers gather for training in order to learn how to better advocate for the children they serve. 

Schoppman: 25 Years of Service

If volunteers are the lifeblood of Northeastern Indiana CASA, then Bonnie Schoppman is the heart moving it ahead by example. With 25 years under her belt as a CASA, Schoppman has served well over 100 children, but who’s counting?

Finding a new purpose in 2018

Brayton Pickard knows a little about making the most of 2017. He’s spent the year volunteering with Northeastern Indiana CASA in DeKalb County, and is looking to continue his impact in the new year.

Stanton returns to volunteer

Ten years wasn’t enough for CASA volunteer Linda Stanton. Linda recently returned to offer more of her heart and time to children who need adult advocates while navigating the court system.

Volunteer Spotlight: Hezekiah Davis

Hezekiah Davis was sworn into service in April 2017. "I grew up in the court system and was united with a loving family in my early childhood, " says Davis. "I wanted to give back by helping another child. After reviewing different ways to give back, becoming a CASA was the right fit for me."

Rensch: A Life-Changing Mission

What started as an item on her bucket list became a reality four years ago. Judy Rensch was in a courtroom serving as a juror when she was moved to become an advocate for children. She now volunteers as a CASA to serve area children.