You are relatively new to Birmingham. Tell us where you are from and where you spent time prior.
I am from Baltimore, where I practiced family law for 10 years. After Baltimore, we moved to Saratoga Springs for my husband’s job in 2014. There, I served on the board of the Adirondack Folk School and also served as president of the St. Clement’s School PTO. I briefly worked as executive director of The Dake Foundation for Children, a nonprofit that grants adaptive equipment to children with special needs. After New York, we moved to Raleigh for three years for another job for my husband, Tim. While there, I worked for UnitedLex, an international legal services corporation.
During the pandemic, Tim suggested a road trip to Birmingham. He had an interview with a company here. We jumped in the car and haven’t looked back. We love Birmingham and hope to be here a long time.
You previously practiced family law — what drew you to that field?
I have always been service driven and inspired to improve social injustice. The human stories of my clients really pushed me to obtain the best possible outcomes. Toward the end of my practice, I focused on mediation, which was, to me, a more humane, holistic way for people to separate from one another while preserving the family unit.
How did you connect with CASA?
I went to the University of Baltimore, intending to practice family law. I focused my studies on family law and issues impacting women and children. I volunteered with CASA of Baltimore County because it provided practical training on how to be an advocate for abused and neglected children. I also got time in the courtroom, which was important as a soon-to-be attorney.
Volunteering with CASA was rewarding. At first, the relationship with my child was awkward. Over time, I earned their trust, and they started to open up about their history, their present situation and their aspirations. What was interesting about that case is that dad had been out of the picture. I think someone looking at the file might write the dad off as disinterested, but there was a lot more to the story. I was able to share this, and the judge listened. This is a great example of the power of CASA advocates in telling the subtle details often associated with these abuse and neglect cases.
What other volunteer experiences have prepared you for this role?
I’ve served as a Guardian Ad Litem and an appointed pro bono attorney for juveniles. I was also active with the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, an organization that serves women. I also served as a pro bono attorney through CHANA Baltimore, which provides legal representation to people in the Jewish community who experience abuse.
What does CASA do?
CASA volunteers are trained advocates for children who have been abused or neglected. Our volunteers must be 21, pass a background check and complete four-part training. We offer support for our volunteers from our dedicated Advocate Coordinators. Volunteers see their child once a month and talk to the important people in the child’s life. Our volunteers compile the information and write a report that presents an unbiased recommendation to the court about the child’s best interest. The volunteer role is for the service-minded person who wants to make a true impact. Our volunteers become a constant in the lives of our CASA kids, and that consistency alone is so important.
What goals do you have for CASA of Jefferson County?
Growth and gratitude! I want a volunteer for every case we get from the court. Our active cases are only 33% staffed with a volunteer at this point. It’s tough work, but it is so important. Our volunteers can change the trajectory of a child’s life from hopeless to hopeful.
I also want to increase private donors and corporate funding. I want everyone in Jefferson County to know about CASA, what we do and how important this organization is to an extremely vulnerable population.
What is one thing you wish more metro residents knew about CASA?
One in seven children has experienced abuse or neglect in the last year, and more than 14,000 abused or neglected children are in Alabama in foster care. Children who have lived in foster care are more likely to become homeless, face addiction and/or further victimization such as human trafficking. We can do better than this. CASA volunteers are grassroots life changers.