By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS -- Court-Appointed Special Advocates' (CASA) Class of 2003 added four voices Tuesday to a dedicated band of volunteers and "Lone Rangers" who make 18-month commitments to children.
Family Court Judge Susan Dobrich swore in Linda Gilbertson, Dora Crisler, Patricia Bainbridge and Keleigh Wilkins before an audience that included County Administrator Terry Proctor, Board of Commissioners Chairman Johnie Rodebush of Niles and Prosecutor Victor Fitz.
Fitz said, "The judge allowed me to take part in the CASA training. It was a great experience for me, being new to the county. I've been very impressed with what I've seen so far. You know the great importance of what you deal with. Our children are the most precious assets we have. Second, so many of us in the system do it because working with families and children is important, but we get paid to do it. The fact that you do it entirely as volunteers is a credit to you. It shows you're doing it truly from the heart. I applaud you."
Sara Ransberger, 18, is a senior at Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School attending Southwestern Michigan College's health academy to further her goal of a nursing career.
After four years in foster care, living in two different homes, five different caseworkers and two counselors dwelled on "the bad things in my life."
Her CASA, Pat Eustice, "was the only person who was consistent. She played a big role in my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I looked forward to seeing her. We got to do fun stuff. We went out to eat and played games. She was more of a friend and didn't give me a runaround. I didn't hear from caseworkers for up to three months, so I really couldn't understand how they were going to let the court know what was going on. But I could always depend on my CASA worker. She had the right information because she always kept in touch. My CASA worker was my friend and I trusted her."
Cassopolis psychologist Andy Katovsich presented each of the four and the judge with angel figurines. "I want you to know how important you are to what I do," counseling foster children.
Dobrich quoted Mother Teresa: " 'Give up your hands to serve and your heart to love.' I think all the CASA volunteers have given both their hands and their hearts to the children of Cass County … unfortunately, we have many broken hearts in our system, but the goal, however, is to mend those hearts and to provide permanency for our children.
Pam Hemenway directs CASA, with Lori Ruff coordinating volunteers. Joy Afman is board president.
Ruff frets that she may exhaust the limited supply of people special enough to volunteer for 18 months. "It's not like serving food at a soup kitchen or reading to children. I've done both things, and they're wonderful and it gives you a good feeling, giving back to the community. Eighteen months is completely different."
It's not a popularity contest that will necessarily make you friends, Ruff said. "They're the Lone Ranger. They be the only ones recommending parental rights be terminated." They may find themselves on the opposite side of attorneys or the FIA, "standing their ground. That's not easy. And they don't get paid. This is their reward."
Ruff gestured at Ransberger. "You four have my utmost respect, gratitude and admiration."
Board member Barb Guse said, "I don't think anybody realizes what a wonderful job the volunteers do and how much the board appreciates the work that you do to help the children in Cass County. Volunteers are the heart of the CASA program as they spend many, many hours advocating for the neglected and abused children in Cass County. Without our volunteers, we would not have a CASA program.
Katherine Yoder, Family Independence Agency (FIA) foster care worker, whose husband, Bob, serves on the CASA board, said she is benefiting from three CASA volunteers working with the 35 children who make up her caseload.