Entries by Katelyn Ellison

CASA Volunteer Advocate Mike LaRoche

Mike LaRoche’s volunteer journey began one fall evening in 2009. Up until then he’d contributed his fair share of time in support of his wife’s tremendous volunteer efforts, but always doing ancillary tasks. Setting up tables and chairs and running the concession stand at football games was helpful, but Mike wanted to do something more […]

CASA Advocate Shawn Bailey: Permanency Means Family

This summer, Lakes Region real estate agent Shawn Bailey will celebrate his 15th year volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, of New Hampshire. The circumstances that trigger the need for CASA volunteers, child abuse and neglect, are certainly not happy ones; but when you look at Shawn’s work, you’ll discover that there’s also […]

Married CASA Advocates: Toni Egger and Rob Taylor

When it comes to volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, some might wonder, what’s it like to have two volunteers living under the same roof? Married couple and CASA advocates Toni Egger and Rob Taylor have the answer: two really is company. Initially Rob and Toni were interested in becoming foster parents. And […]

CASA Advocate Alison Lawrence: Showing Up to Make a Difference

Over the course of her 12-year service at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire, Alison Lawrence has gained a bit of a reputation. She’s even earned herself a nickname: The Finisher. And while this all sounds quite ominous, it’s actually much the opposite. One of the first things you’d notice when meeting Alison […]

CASA Advocate Kerri Harrington: The Needs of the Child Come First

Volunteering in her community has always been a part of Kerri Harrington’s life and a value her mother instilled in her. A friend suggested Kerri consider CASA because she’d always had the courage to speak for those who didn’t have a voice. Kerri was intrigued by the idea of becoming a CASA and thought she […]

CASA Advocate Jeanmarie Foisie: Healing Through Helping Others

When Jeanmarie Foisie discovered CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of New Hampshire in 2013, she was in the grips of a pain no parent should ever have to bear. Jeanmarie and her husband had recently lost their 19-year-old son, and she felt as though she was walking through life in a fog of grief. The […]

CASA Advocate David Sky: Discovering the Depth of Compassion

Compassion is a quality shared by all CASA of New Hampshire volunteers. You could say it is the very quality that led David Sky to take on the role of a CASA advocate. At that time, David was studying Nonviolent Communication as developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD. This communication approach focuses on learning to […]

CASA Advocate Deb Zimmermann is Making a Direct Impact in the Lives of Children

Deb Zimmermann’s determination, passion and commitment exemplify what makes CASA volunteer advocates such a gift to so many children. Her generosity of spirit and time (13 years, 40 children and 22 cases) continue to transform young lives of all ages. Her ongoing financial support has also helped further CASA’s critical mission. Deb came to CASA […]