Small World, Big Impact: Jen and Kelly's Case Crossover
Jen and Kelly both devote many hours to their leadership roles in the CASA Young Professionals, work full-time, and also serve as CASA volunteers. Having two amazing women like Jen and Kelly dedicated to our cause is remarkable—but even more unbelievable is that they currently have CASA cases with children in the same foster home… for the second time!
Kelly has been a CASA volunteer for over four years and a part of the CASA Young Professionals for three. She initially heard about CASA at her foster parent class graduation and felt called to embark on the volunteer journey to form a connection with children and help meet their needs. Kelly completed her first case assignment, then was appointed to advocate for a fourteen-year-old boy and his sister, who were placed in different foster homes. At the fourteen-year-old’s current placement, Kelly met a seven-year-old boy who had a younger sibling in a different placement. She was compelled to help and requested assignment to their case as well—her third case. Rebecca, Kelly’s Case Advocacy Supervisor, proudly shared, “I sometimes wonder if Kelly has more hours in her day than the rest of us. She provides so much support, commitment, follow-up, and attention to detail in everything she does. Kelly will always stick her neck out for children and focuses on their needs.”
Jen is newer to CASA; she has been a CASA for two years and a member of the CASA Young Professionals for over a year. While looking for a recurring volunteer position with children, Jen got on Google and came across CASA of St. Louis. She received a rave review from a police officer friend in Texas who worked closely with CASA and was sold. Jen’s first case was an eleven-year-old boy who was adopted after two years by his foster mom. Jen recently took her second case working with two girls placed in different homes. Elissa, Jen’s Case Advocacy Supervisor, shared, “Jen is dedicated to her CASA kiddos and consistently provides great advocacy.”
Jen met Kelly when she joined the CASA Young Professionals, and soon learned they were both CASA volunteers. They were discussing how to navigate the complexities of the school system in their cases and realized the similarities weren’t just a coincidence; the children they advocate for attend the same school. More than that, Kelly’s fourteen- and seven-year-olds were placed in the same home as the eleven-year-old in Jen’s case. Kelly shared, “We like to refer to this foster parent as Super Foster Parent. It’s great to be able to share that positivity.”
When Jen and Kelly were appointed to their newest cases, they began discussing some challenges. As it turns out, they are again advocating for children in the same foster home. “We are once again going to be visiting together,” Jen shared. “It’s nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of who understands the home and the situation you’re going through. We also have someone to interact with during our visits. It’s a really unique situation.”
Despite their busy careers, travels, and social lives, Jen and Kelly wholeheartedly commit themselves to CASA. From their advocacy as volunteers to their leadership in the Young Professionals, their dedication is truly unparalleled. “We’re always talking, either about the YPs or our kiddos,” Jen said. We are beyond grateful to have these wonderful women as part of our CASA of St. Louis team.