CASA Spotlight: Janet McCormick's Virtual Advocacy is Making a Difference

Somewhere in the pandemic-dictated maze of virtual, rather than face-to-face outreach, a young girl found a deep connection – someone who cared and wanted the best for her.

The story began April 4 when a newly sworn-in CASA of St. Louis volunteer—Janet McCormick—took on the case of a 14-year-old whose history included sex abuse and possibly sex trafficking.  For more than a year, this child had been in a foster home where she was unhappy. 

“This child was involved with older men, was skipping school and taking drugs,” said Tammie Powell-Williamson, who is Manager of the CASA of St. Louis Advocacy Program.  The veteran of 13 years at CASA has spent years serving in social work and counseling roles at Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, Great Circle St. Louis, Annie Malone Children and Family Services and in the Ferguson-Florissant and University City school districts.

“I was surprised Janet selected this case from the several she was offered,” Tammie said.  Janet is a full-time student in social work, minoring in child advocacy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. This spring, she became a CASA volunteer along with her adult daughter just as the rules of COVID-19 came into force.

“Janet had to complete her first visit with this young girl virtually, and yet, she clearly connected and did what CASA volunteers do best, showed an interest in the girl and made it clear, she cared and wanted to help,” Tammie added.

In June, the girl received no card or acknowledgement from her mother or foster parent on her birthday, but she did get a birthday card from CASA.  Soon after her June 30 birthday, the girl ran way, but in July she called her contact in the St. Louis County Division of Social Services’ Children’s Division—she was looking for the phone number of Janet McCormick. 

“When the child called, Janet remained professional—she did not make demands or press the child to return to the foster home.  She did urge the girl to call her again so she could make sure she was safe.  The girl asked Janet to arrange for the delivery of her clothes from the foster home, and she wanted her therapist’s number.  It was clear this child realized she was in a bad place and needed help. We were thrilled that she realized CASA was there to help her,” Tammie said. 

Thursday, July 23, another milestone in the case occurred when the girl willingly called in during her Zoom court hearing. She was on Janet’s cell phone during the hearing, when the young girl told the judge how much she felt that neither her mother nor her foster parent cared what happened to her.  She was angry that she had recently discovered the man she thought was her biological father was not her father at all.   

This now-15-year-old girl is still on the run, but she knows the number to dial for help.

“This child seemed to have lost faith in the adults in her life—except for one: her CASA Janet,” Tammie said.  “In that first call, a connection was made, and it did not matter that Janet and the child had never met face-to-face. Janet’s warmth, kindness and professionalism came through strong and clear. She proved we can do our jobs virtually if we continue to show how much we care about these children who need us so desperately.”