May, 2022
30 Years of CASA Highlights: Libby Poland
2022 marks the 30th year of Family Services’ Essex County CASA providing advocacy for abused and neglected children in Essex County. As we celebrate 30 years, we are highlighting staff and volunteers who on a daily basis help us advocate for these vulnerable children. This week we spoke with volunteer Libby Poland.
What is your role at CASA?
I am a CASA volunteer.
How long have you been with the program?
I have been a CASA volunteer with Family Services for about 7 years.
What led you to become involved with CASA?
I was inspired to volunteer with CASA after hearing a CASA speak at North Parish Unitarian Church about her deeply meaningful experiences as an advocate in the Merrimack Valley.
What do you find most rewarding about working/volunteer for CASA?
I enjoy supporting local families who are having trouble navigating parenthood. The children are most vulnerable in these struggling families, and I feel it important to advocate for their safety and health while also supporting the parents. Parenthood is challenging enough without obstacles. I feel that all families need support for a healthy community.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a French teacher at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. Outside of school, I sing with the New England Classical Singers, hike the open spaces around Andover, enjoy making pottery, and spend time with my husband and three grown children. I also love to garden and travel when I can!
30 Years of CASA Highlights: Ellen Killam
2022 marks the 30th year of Family Services’ Essex County CASA providing advocacy for abused and neglected children in Essex County. As we celebrate 30 years, join us weekly as we highlight the staff and volunteers who on a daily basis help us advocate for these vulnerable children.
What is your role at CASA?
I have two roles. I am the administrative support specialist at the Essex County CASA office, and I am also a CASA. I am currently on my second case with my CASA role.
How long have you been with the program?
I have been a CASA since October 2019, and I have been working in the CASA office since February 2021.
What led you to become involved with CASA?
My interest with CASA grew when I heard about it on the Dr. Phil Show. Dr. Phil spoke about how a CASA is a voice for children in the court. Having gone through a divorce where I realized my children were not being heard, this spoke to my heart.
What do you find most rewarding about working for CASA?
In my administrative role I love supporting the CASA staff. What they do is so important and they are all so extremely dedicated. In my role as a CASA, being a voice for children and doing my best to ensure that their best interest is served is an important responsibility that I find rewarding.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I do other volunteer work; I volunteer at my local food pantry and I do outreach and social justice work with my church. When the weather gets warmer, I love hitting the bike trails with my other half and enjoying the outdoors. I hope to be doing more traveling soon now that life is getting back to normal.
30 Years of CASA Highlights: Charles Kenher
2022 marks the 30th year of Family Services’ Essex County CASA providing advocacy for abused and neglected children in Essex County. As we celebrate 30 years, we are highlighting staff and volunteers who on a daily basis help us advocate for these vulnerable children. This week we spoke with volunteer Charles Kenher.
Essex County CASA will be recognized at this year’s Family Service’s Spring Gala today Thursday, May 5, 2022.
What is your role at CASA?
I am a volunteer advocate.
How long have you been with the program?
I have been with the program for five and a half years.
What led you to become involved with CASA?
When I retired in 2016, I wanted to transition into some type of volunteer work. My wife, Charlotte, knew about CASA and suggested I look into volunteering here.
What do you find most rewarding about working/volunteer for CASA?
It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to help children who are stuck in difficult and sometimes horrible situations. Not only that, but I get to do it by working with CASA staff and volunteers who are just as committed and passionate about the work we are doing.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy reading (history mostly), woodworking, gardening, and relaxing on the beach. I also like to cook and, again thanks to a suggestion from my wife, I recently started baking bread from scratch. My low success rate of edible to inedible loaves is somewhat of a concern, but I haven’t given up yet!
