CASA Volunteer Terry's Lifetime of Impact

CASA Volunteer Terry’s Lifetime of Impact!

For thirty-five years, Terry and his wife, Susan, ran a beloved bookstore in Indiana. But beyond the shelves of books, it’s Terry’s journey in child welfare that truly deserves recognition.

Terry has been a CASA volunteer in St. Louis since 2018, and his impact on child advocacy began even earlier. In the 1970s, he and Susan worked for the Indiana State Welfare Department as part of an innovative team designed to improve caseworker retention through collaboration and support. “I’m sure we didn’t invent the idea—there were probably others across the country—but it was pretty innovative at the time,” Terry shared modestly.

Before entering child welfare, Terry served in the U.S. Army, while Susan was a social worker for the state of Indiana. Inspired by Susan’s passion for the work, Terry decided to make a career change, joining her in the field. Their team met weekly to discuss cases, ensuring that no single caseworker was overwhelmed with an unmanageable caseload. “The caseloads for many caseworkers were—and still are—way too heavy. They lacked the support they needed to truly help the children,” Terry explained. By working together, their team alleviated some of that burden and helped improve retention rates. Laughing, Terry added, “You know, it’s funny—Susan was actually my direct supervisor. Every time she got promoted, I took over her job.”

After eight years of balancing emotionally demanding careers while raising a one-year-old and a three-year-old, Terry and Susan faced a difficult decision. When presented with the opportunity to take over a bookstore location owned by Susan’s parents, they couldn’t pass it up. They ran the bookstore for thirty-five years before selling it and retiring in 2016. “It’s still there,” Terry said proudly. “It’s probably fifty years old now.”

Terry remained dedicated to child welfare, volunteering as a CASA in Indiana before he and Susan moved to Missouri to be closer to their grandchild. Not long after their move, Susan became ill and passed suddenly. Despite this profound loss, Terry continued their shared commitment to helping children, becoming a CASA volunteer in Missouri, and is currently advocating for an eighteen-year-old youth.

Terry’s Case Advocacy Supervisor, Rebecca, shared her admiration for his unwavering dedication: “Through ups and downs, moves, and life changes, Terry’s commitment to the child he’s advocating for never wavers. He is dependable, consistently shows up, and brings a sense of normalcy and lightness to his visits. They talk about books, movies, and the future. Terry never fails to ensure the youth has access to any book he wants to read. I love working with Terry and appreciate his perspective on child welfare. While he is a wealth of knowledge, he remains open to learning and adapting as challenges arise.”

Thank you, Terry, for your decades of dedication and advocacy. We are proud to have such a compassionate and insightful volunteer on our CASA of St. Louis team.