09/Nov/2007
CASA Volunteers
Anna Bateman
Greenwell Springs
Anna Bateman, a pre-school teacher, has been a CASA volunteer since October 2005. As an advocate for abused and neglected children living in foster care, she has worked with two families during her time as a volunteer. Her first case closed in December 2006, and the four children she was assigned to returned to their family. Bateman has maintained contact with the
oldest
of the four siblings and continues to be a support system for her. Her
most recent case involves three girls who entered foster care because
of domestic violence issues between their mother and father. In the
five months since she has been the advocate on this case, she has
established a strong relationship with both the children and their
mother. CASA Advocate Supervisor Susan Murrell said, “Anna is very
caring and compassionate. She never drops the ball and really gets in
there and does the work that is needed. She has a great relationship
with the kids.”
Kim Littles
Zachary
Kim Littles, a veteran with 11 years of military service to her credit and a teacher from Zachary, has been a CASA volunteer since November 2006. Assigned to a 17-year-old boy who has lived in foster care since he was 2 years old, she has been a dedicated advocate for his best interests. Littles’ CASA child is autistic, and one of the important things Kim has advocated for is moving the child into an autism facility closer to his foster family and biological sister. “It will mean driving to Monroe to see him, but that is best for him,” she said. “I have a 7-year-old son who also is autistic,” she said. “Working with my CASA child reveals challenges and opportunities awaiting our family just down the road.”
Kristi LaMattery, CASA Advocate Supervisor, said Kim pays acute attention to her CASA child’s developmental changes and progress. “She is very patient and has been a wonderful asset to him.”
Kenneth Dyson
South Baton Rouge
A CASA volunteer since June 2006, Kenneth Dyson has already completed one case and accepted another. During his first case, Dyson advocated for a 12-year-old boy whose mother was battling substance abuse issues. He was an encouraging force for both the CASA child and his mother, who completed drug detox and was able to regain custody of the child. He is currently an
advocate for a 15-year-old boy whose mother is in jail and who has no other family members to take care of him. Dyson is working on facilitating a visit between the boy and his aunts who live in Northern Louisiana.
“It really is a lot of work,” Dyson said. “But it is worth it when you see the kid smile. I was there for my children, but when you don’t have that it is really rough.”
Judith Beekman
Southeast Baton Rouge
Judith Beekman, a biological researcher, has been a CASA volunteer since March 2005. Her CASA child, a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, has been in foster care since 2004. Her mother suffers from mental health issues and has failed to meet the requirements set forth by the state to regain custody of her child. Beekman has been a powerful voice for her CASA child. Over last Christmas she was able to arrange for her CASA child to visit extended family in Connecticut. CASA Advocate Supervisor Ricketta Cotton-Monroe said, “Judith has encouraged family members to work with the agency to provide a home for the child, visits her every month, and has been very involved with educational planning.”
Anna Bateman
Greenwell Springs
Anna Bateman, a pre-school teacher, has been a CASA volunteer since October 2005. As an advocate for abused and neglected children living in foster care, she has worked with two families during her time as a volunteer. Her first case closed in December 2006, and the four children she was assigned to returned to their family. Bateman has maintained contact with the
oldest
of the four siblings and continues to be a support system for her. Her
most recent case involves three girls who entered foster care because
of domestic violence issues between their mother and father. In the
five months since she has been the advocate on this case, she has
established a strong relationship with both the children and their
mother. CASA Advocate Supervisor Susan Murrell said, “Anna is very
caring and compassionate. She never drops the ball and really gets in
there and does the work that is needed. She has a great relationship
with the kids.” Kim Littles
Zachary
Kim Littles, a veteran with 11 years of military service to her credit and a teacher from Zachary, has been a CASA volunteer since November 2006. Assigned to a 17-year-old boy who has lived in foster care since he was 2 years old, she has been a dedicated advocate for his best interests. Littles’ CASA child is autistic, and one of the important things Kim has advocated for is moving the child into an autism facility closer to his foster family and biological sister. “It will mean driving to Monroe to see him, but that is best for him,” she said. “I have a 7-year-old son who also is autistic,” she said. “Working with my CASA child reveals challenges and opportunities awaiting our family just down the road.”
Kristi LaMattery, CASA Advocate Supervisor, said Kim pays acute attention to her CASA child’s developmental changes and progress. “She is very patient and has been a wonderful asset to him.”
Kenneth Dyson
South Baton Rouge
A CASA volunteer since June 2006, Kenneth Dyson has already completed one case and accepted another. During his first case, Dyson advocated for a 12-year-old boy whose mother was battling substance abuse issues. He was an encouraging force for both the CASA child and his mother, who completed drug detox and was able to regain custody of the child. He is currently an
advocate for a 15-year-old boy whose mother is in jail and who has no other family members to take care of him. Dyson is working on facilitating a visit between the boy and his aunts who live in Northern Louisiana.
“It really is a lot of work,” Dyson said. “But it is worth it when you see the kid smile. I was there for my children, but when you don’t have that it is really rough.”
Judith Beekman
Southeast Baton Rouge
Judith Beekman, a biological researcher, has been a CASA volunteer since March 2005. Her CASA child, a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, has been in foster care since 2004. Her mother suffers from mental health issues and has failed to meet the requirements set forth by the state to regain custody of her child. Beekman has been a powerful voice for her CASA child. Over last Christmas she was able to arrange for her CASA child to visit extended family in Connecticut. CASA Advocate Supervisor Ricketta Cotton-Monroe said, “Judith has encouraged family members to work with the agency to provide a home for the child, visits her every month, and has been very involved with educational planning.”
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