“When we first moved back to Missouri, I wanted to find a place to volunteer; I was also contemplating a social work graduate program. At a work lunch, my husband heard about CASA: a perfect melding of my desire to volunteer and interest in social work. Shortly after, we received tickets to Justice is Served where I was able to hear impact stories from children who have CASAs and speak with several CASA volunteers. I knew this was where I was meant to be; I wanted to be there when others are not and help children through such hard times in their lives. I registered for volunteer training the next day. When I was offered my first case, with three children, I nervously accepted.  We began our journey that following week and, through all the ups and downs, I could not be happier with my decision because they needed someone and that someone was me.”

Krista has been advocating for 3 children for the past year. She has proven to be a strong advocate for these kids, which has not been an easy task with the family dynamics. Krista has kept her objectivity, spoken up on the children’s behalf when needed and remained consistent in these children’s lives. Thank you Krista; you are greatly appreciated!

Kelly has been a CASA volunteer for 2 years. She has had 3 cases total and served a total of 6 children. Kelly has been dedicated to Heart of Missouri CASA  since she became an advocate. This has shown through Kelly’s passion of helping all the children she has advocated for in Callaway County. Kelly is valuable asset to Heart of Missouri CASA and we want to thank her for helping give children a voice.

Here are a few words from Kelly:

“I became a CASA because my eyes were opened to the need when a family at church was trying to adopt their foster kids. Two of the children did not have a CASA and the baby did. The parents explained to us that the process with a CASA went much more smoothly and more swiftly. They educated people at our church about the lack of CASAs and the real need for them. This really touched my heart and I knew it was a way I could make the difference in the lives of children. There are too many children in foster care but each one of them deserves a voice. I have had 3 cases serving 6 children in two years.

I am married to Tim Borman, an Investment representative at the Callaway Bank in Fulton, and have 3 adult children and 3 dogs. I am a former elementary teacher in Columbia and North Callaway and love kids! Currently I volunteer in several capacities with the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, the Brick District Playhouse and the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society. I encourage anyone who has the capacity to love and advocate for children to become a CASA.”

Cindy’s giving, compassionate heart has made an impact all across Columbia. When she’s not spending time with her CASA kiddo, you can find her tutoring English or hitting the gym!

Cindy swore in during February of 2016 and is on her third case! Though she has had cases with many different aspects, she has been able to effectively advocate and build a relationship with each of the kids that she has served. Cindy always works hard on her court reports and makes fact-based recommendations. In fact, when she turned in her most recent report, the caseworker said “That was the best CASA report I’ve seen written.”

Here’s what Cindy has to say about why she volunteers with CASA: “I first learned of CASA a few years ago when my daughter was a Theta at Mizzou, and she was my inspiration to become involved.  Having recently started my third case, I have seen the need, up close and personal, for these kids to have a consistent presence in their life who will stick with them through a very challenging time.”

Cindy’s hard work and dedication are truly invaluable and we are so thankful for her!

Jane received her first case in March of 2012 and is currently on her fourth case.

A few words from Jane, “I became a CASA when I became an empty nester. I graduated from MU in 1986 with a degree in Child and Family Development. Before my children were born, I was a preschool teacher. I have felt in each case I helped my CASA children in their situations. I find the Continuing Education programs offered interesting and helpful in my work with the children and the court system. I really believe in the CASA program and that is why Tom and I help financially as well.  I am very fortunate to have the desire and time to be a CASA.”

So far, Jane has advocated for 6 children which resulted in two reunifications and one guardianship. One of her many strengths is her ability to build relationships with the members of her team, parents and foster families. Jane is very active in the community, also volunteering substantial time with The Assistance League of Mid-Missouri. We are incredibly thankful for Jane’s hard work and consistency on her cases, and also her generosity in supporting our program! Thank you Jane. We’re lucky to have you!

A few words from our volunteer spotlight Candida Rogers, “About ten years ago, I saw a notice in the newspaper under “Volunteer Opportunities” about CASA and thought it would be something I would like to do.  However, my work as an ER nurse, lastly at Women’ and Children’s Hospital, meant variable workdays and shifts so I could not commit.  The month I retired, I started the class to be a CASA.  In a few months, I began to serve a three sibling family that had had an unfair share of troubles in their young lives.  Today, two of those children remain in foster/residential care.  Thankfully, their elder sister went into a wonderful foster home and is today a student at a local college.

Over the years, I think the most important thing I have been able to offer these children is being a consistent, no drama, adult presence in their lives.  I cannot change their developmental difficulties, nor their living circumstances, but I can show up for visits no matter where they are, keep in communication with them, share meals, walk and talk together. I try to convey to the FST and the court what the children say they want and need as well as what I see and hear in the places they live.  My hope is that each teen gains some of the tools to have healthy, productive, adult lives.”

For the past 5 years, Candida has advocated for the children on her case in different areas in regards to their school, placements, and mental health; giving the team information in regards to the children’s wishes.

There are many words to describe Candida: courageous, adaptable, understanding, compassionate, persistent, diligent and ambitious, the list goes on. I (Leslie) am grateful for each one of these characteristics. Thank you Candida for your consistency and advocacy over the years on your case.

Linda and her husband, Trent, began their first case in July 2013. They were a great support to the foster family with their consistent visits to two young boys. Due to their commitment and loving relationship, the boys were adopted by the same foster family in late 2016. When asked if she would take another case in March 2017, Linda willingly agreed. She worked hard to establish a positive relationship with two challenging teenagers. While one has aged out, Linda has worked diligently securing guardianship for the other teenager. Without her persistance in getting paperwork completed, this guardianship would have stalled out. Thank you Linda for your perserverance and willingness to go the extra mile.

A few words from Linda: “I was a child who suffered abuse and neglect while growing up, yet my heart’s desire was to be a wife and mother when I grew up. My husband, Trent and I have had the privilege and responsibility of raising three wonderful children; two sons and a daughter, who are all now married and either have children or are expecting a child very soon. One thing that stood out to me, even as a child, was that children do not choose to be born and do not have anything to do with getting here and that parents are responsible to care for them, love them and teach them. Trent and I wanted to raise kind and loving, hardworking kids who would love God and others. These three children were our passion and our ministry –“training up a child in the way he should go”. When they were all out of the home and on their own, we wanted and needed a way to be able to serve and help others. We tried working with the elderly for a while, but while at SERVE one day they recommended CASA to Trent to have the opportunity to help children who needed to have a voice! For me it was exciting as well as scary because I was still “that kid” and could relate to these children to at least to some degree. Our first case was with such a wonderful first-time foster family and two awesome boys! Both the foster family and Trent and I learned so much while working together to bring permanency for those two boys who they adopted! While we were still on our first case our first granddaughter was born and since then have three more precious grandchildren with one more due in October! Trent and I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren very much and get to see them every week so that their parents can have some time for themselves. I also enjoy gardening, knitting and crocheting, cooking, reading and going for motorcycle rides with my husband.

So, it turns out that being a part of helping children and has helped me probably more than I helped them. While on this journey I have come full circle and because of what I have learned from different speakers, the children and books I realized that I had not faced the abuse and neglect of my childhood and I am now able to stop running and hiding in constant fear and becoming the woman God intended for me to be. My current case has sexual abuse, verbal abuse, neglect and physical abuse. I was VERY hesitant to take another case, especially because of the sexual abuse. It was getting kind of close to home and I had been running a very long time! But somehow, I did it anyway, and am seeing two more children realize that they are valued, heard and cared for. That two people are willing to sacrifice just about anything and everything for children they did not even give birth to without really “getting anything in return” is so remarkable, honorable and astounding!!! I have incredible awe for our foster families we work with. It is a joy and a privilege to help a child have a voice and be a part of seeing their lives change for the better.”

Linda was one of the very first advocates to join the Callaway County program in 2013! Heart of Missouri CASA would like to thank Linda for sharing her story and for the many hours spent advocating for these children in Callaway County!

From yoga class to her successful career, Cynthia is a busy woman! However, she faithfully makes time to visit with and advocate for our community’s most vulnerable children.

Cynthia swore in during November 2015 and is on her second case. Cynthia is a consistent, stable person in a life of many changing adults for the children on her case. She always pays close attention to the details during home visits and always communicates her observations to the team. Cynthia’s strong advocacy and caring heart are so valuable to her work as a CASA volunteer. She has a heart for our mission and is not afraid to take a stand when changes need to be made to keep children safe.

Here’s what Cynthia has to say about her time as a CASA Volunteer: “I really love being a CASA.  I get to make sure each child knows that they matter.  I tell them that what they feel or think is important and it is my job to make sure the judge knows what they want.  It is a great feeling to get to advocate for a child and know that I am making a difference.”

Thank you, Cynthia, for the difference you are making for our community!

Lincoln Sheets began volunteering for CASA in August of 2015 and in January of this year received his second case. In his first case, Lincoln was assigned a brother and sister who were placed in the St Louis area in different facilities. He diligently advocated for them which resulted in reunification with their parents.  He not only built a relationship with the kids and parents, but with his team as well.  

A little background from Lincoln: “I am a physician and medical researcher who serves as Director of Health Informatics for the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri. After college, I enjoyed a brief career in professional ballet, then worked for 20 years in software engineering before entering medical school and my current career.

As a medical student, I organized medical missions in Africa and Latin America, and helped create a student-run free clinic in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to my faculty position at Mizzou Med, I live and serve full-time at St. Francis House, a Catholic Worker community that provides shelter and hospitality to the homeless residents of Columbia. I am an active member of the Friends (Quaker) Meeting.

My free-time interests include dance, triathlon, movies, mountaineering, travel, languages, martial arts, and spending time with family at home in Columbia and in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri.

I wanted to be a CASA in order to help the kids and their families who must navigate the complexities of our legal system. In my first three years as a CASA, I’ve learned that patient listening and encouragement are probably the most valuable help I can give.”

When Lincoln was ready to take a second case, he chose two brothers who were placed in two different residential facilities, one in St. James and one in Kansas City.  

All together, Lincoln has traveled 3,776 miles to visit kids who were placed outside of Boone County and away from family who could not visit them.

Heart of Missouri CASA would like to thank you Lincoln for all the many hours and miles you have spent being the voice and familiar face to your kids!