Celebrating 15 Years with CASA: Irma Martinez

In 1966, Irma Martinez left Colombia’s sprawling, high altitude capital city of Bogota—with its 16th century architecture, elegant, colonial-era landmarks, cobblestoned center and temperate climate. 

Reluctantly she also left her thriving Bogota dental practice and packed up a one- and a two-year-old to follow her husband to St. Louis because he had been encouraged by a friend to move here.  “It was tough to leave everything I knew and establish myself in dentistry here,” she says.  “But I managed.” 

Did she ever. Irma and her late husband both worked for decades in local dental practices—she with private dentists and he with Washington University. The Martinez family also grew in those years by three more children. Irma now also has seven grandchildren and even a great-grandchild. 

At age 81, Irma dotes on her family living in St. Louis and Atlanta. But despite pleas from her children, she lives independently and works part-time as a medical interpreter for Barnes Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital—a position she has held for 18 years. She also has served as a paid court interpreter.

For 15 of those years, Irma has also been an active CASA of St. Louis volunteer.  In 2006, Irma was urged by a friend to consider volunteering for CASA “He described being a CASA volunteer as a way to help children in foster care,” she recalls. “He thought I would be good at it.”

CASA Case Advocacy Supervisor Mariah Smith agrees that Irma has wonderful qualities that aid in her service for children in care.  “Irma just lights up a room when she enters it,” says Mariah.  “She is so dedicated to getting the resources children need. Irma talks to everyone involved to get a full picture of the situation, files detailed reports and is so kind and generous to the families she serves. Irma exudes warmth and has boundless energy.”

Mariah began her career as a Case Manager in 2014 with the Children’s Division, Missouri Department of Social Services in St. Louis County. She worked in the state’s Children’s Division in Boone County and at Heart of Missouri CASA, in Columbia, MO, before joining CASA of St. Louis in April 2020. Now she supports as many as 30 volunteers as they advocate for children in care.

Mariah adds that Irma is now on her sixth case --- a 12-year-old girl who was removed from her home three years ago because of her mother’s substance abuse and neglect. “This child did not have a CASA, so Irma was happy to take the case.  Irma quickly got to know the child and made sure she got therapy and other resources.”

Irma is very grateful to Mariah for the guidance she provides on this case.  “She is so patient and so wonderful to me,” Irma says.

Irma enjoys sharing time with the children she serves and building their relationship. “Several years ago, I was assigned to a teen who absolutely hated her father, who had abandoned her,” Irma recalls.  “I worked with her until she moved into an apartment of her own at age 18.” Irma also ensured the young woman had access to resources that allowed her to have her very first prom dress to wear to the dance. “She just looked gorgeous,” Irma shares. “Furthermore, she earned good grades, graduated from high school, and found a good job.” While the young woman still had an estranged relationship with her father, she shared with Irma that she planned to visit her father. Irma recalls, “She was finally excited to talk to her father and deal with her anger.”

Irma also recalls a case involving three children who were living with their grandmother. “Their mom was in and out of treatment programs for addiction.  The grandmother wanted to return to Mexico, but she did not want to have the three grandchildren put up for adoption.  Eventually the grandmother was granted custody, and all the children flourished, but it took a lot of discussion.  Six months ago, I encountered the family by chance and the children remembered me.”

What is her secret for staying so young at heart? “I have to stay busy so I did not do well in retirement. I visited 11 countries and lunched with friends, but within two years, I began volunteering and that led to my medical interpreter position and then to CASA.  I believe if you stay independent, busy and involved, you can do a lot to help others and yourself. I thank God every day,” Irma says.