CASA OF st. louis Blog
Spotlight: Flying High as a Volunteer
Lana Petrovic was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in March 2022 after hearing about the CASA program in college. Despite being new to the role, Lana was willing to dive right in! When presented case files for review to be assigned her first case, without hesitation Lana agreed to be assigned a complex case involving twin sisters who had experienced ongoing sexual abuse from their father. While shy and timid during their first visits, over the last 18 months Lana has brought the girls out of their shells and developed a strong bond. She wants to be certain that despite the circumstances they have faced, the sisters have an opportunity to enjoy just being children. From trick-or-treating at Halloween (a first for the twins!) to Christmas Pageants to summer swim days, Lana has now become such an integral part of the girl’s lives and someone they know they can trust and rely on. This trusted and stable relationship will remain critical for the girls in the coming months as they will testify in the criminal case against their father for the sexual abuse they experienced, an unimaginably stressful situation which will require tremendous support and encouragement.
Spotlight: Class Is In Session
The pencils are sharpened, backpacks are filled and another school year is underway. For some, this means the routine of balancing work, life and being a volunteer advocate is back in session. This is the life Tyler Archer will live for the next nine months as he is currently a volunteer for CASA of St. Louis and the principal at Nance Elementary School for the Saint Louis Public Schools District. Archer, who has been a volunteer since 2019, says the balancing act is worth the fulfillment in the end. “Don’t let the time commitment deter you from this work,” Archer said. “While sometimes are busier than others, the rewarding nature of being a CASA is by far worth the sacrifice and will enhance your life in deep meaningful ways.”
Celebrating 20 Years of CASA Service
She is a great connector of people and hope. She has helped advocate for children in foster care, family members of Alzheimer patients get answers, and scientists discover new treatments for cancer patients.
Born to a Navy officer who later became a pilot for Ozark Airlines, Stephany Kniep moved from Indiana, home to her mother’s family, to California and then to Texas before settling at age 12 in St. Louis.
Celebrating 18 years of CASA service
A deep reverence for the natural world, an abiding love of family and her community and a commitment to helping others have driven Parker McMillan throughout her life.
This month she ends 18 years’ service to CASA of St. Louis having helped multiple children in foster care who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Like all CASA volunteers, Parker has navigated a system that involves gathering information, working with a family support team, and making informed recommendations about what is in each child’s best interest. For many children, she was the only consistent person in their lives.
Spotlight: Judge John Warner
At 23, the harried single father of a toddler was working long hours as an assistant manager of a shoe department within a Famous-Barr Store.
His parents took care of their grandchild--sometimes into the night---as John (Jack) Warner juggled it all. Later, this highly respected, now-retired, Circuit Court judge also struggled to parent as he earned two university degrees—also while working.
That experience made him especially sensitive to issues families face when there is too little time and no money.
Pat Mcmackin: A very special casaversary
He feels equally at home piloting tug boats as troubleshooting computer systems for federal agencies ranging from the Army Aviation Command to the U.S. Postal Service. And for 20 years, Pat McMackin has also been a critical voice for 17 children ---becoming the one, consistent person these children could rely on.
CASA of St. Louis Case Advocacy Supervisor Mariah Smith says Pat is not only committed but very family-oriented. “He deeply understands how important family connections are.”
15 Years of Service: Carol MacDonald
Carol MacDonald, mother of three and grandmother of seven, never set out to spend more than 15 years becoming the one person many foster children can rely upon.
While raising her three daughters, Carol was an active volunteer in a number of civic organizations and a leader in Kirkwood schools’ Service Learning Program, a program that allows students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to community service projects.
15 Years of Service: Stephanie Sachs
A teen learned to relax and laugh over a silly game named “Sorry” she brought him, while two teenage girls gave her dance lessons, and another explained how to create box braids.
These children were often wary around adults, but they trusted Stephanie Sachs. Over 15 years of advocating for 30 abused and neglected children, she has remained resolutely on their side.