Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Jefferson County recently hosted the Friends of CASA Luncheon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
This year’s event featured the introduction of a new award honoring a man whose life was defined by service. Arnold “Pops” Roseman, who died in 2009, spent nearly two decades volunteering at Jefferson County Family Court. Sixteen years later, CASA created the award as an annual reminder of what steady, faithful advocacy can accomplish.
“I got the idea for The Roseman Award because I am awestruck by how often I hear about Mr. Roseman more than 10 years after his passing,” says CASA Executive Director Kelly Burke. “‘This is what a legacy looks like. Like all legends, I doubt Mr. Roseman set out to be legendary. He simply showed up every day for twenty years and shared his time. He was consistent and kind. These are values that define compassionate advocacy. We strive to serve our children with volunteers and staff that model these qualities.”
This year’s Roseman Award recipient, Godilean Powell, embodies those same values. A CASA volunteer for nearly two years, she takes on each case with energy and heart.
CASA provides abused, neglected, or abandoned children with a highly trained volunteer to advocate for the child’s best interest before family courts in Jefferson County.