I have thought back many times about my childhood and where I would be if I didn't have someone to take me out of my home, which was unsafe, unhealthy, and neglectful. All too often, a child is living in an unsafe and unhealthy home without someone to step in and provide refuge, stability, and care. Thank goodness for CASA, and CASA of New Hampshire in particular. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides a voice for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect by empowering a statewide network of trained volunteers to advocate on the child's behalf so they can thrive in safe, loving, and permanent homes. CASA is a national organization that's been standing up for children since 1977.

New Hampshire's CASA is a completely independent and autonomous non-profit and was founded in 1989 by CEO and President Marcia (Marty) Sink. Marty had been inspired and challenged by her own experiences as a foster parent and recognized a need for trained advocates to give a voice to victimized children in court. CASA of NH is a statewide nonprofit that's a one-stop shop for developing wonderful trained volunteers who, with the support and supervision of CASA staff, can provide trauma-informed best-interests advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA's first goal is to reunify children with their parents; however, if that proves not to be possible, then other options are explored, always with the child's best interest at the forefront. CASA's vision is a world where every child is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.

"Being a CASA for 10 years and advocating for 10 children, I have seen with my own eyes and heart a child's journey from deep uncertainty and often despair to hope and resilience," says Robyn Pollock, a CASA volunteer. "Believing in a child's potential when their world is unstable, CASAs show up, stand firm, and believe in that child. The connection, healing, and hope are changing—for the child and for me."

So, what is a CASA of NH volunteer? They are ordinary people (no background in law or social work required) who have the interest and time to step forward and advocate in New Hampshire's court system for abused children. They spend time getting to know the child or children they are working with and gather information from the important adults in each child's life so they can make qualified, unbiased recommendations to a judge about the best interests of the child.

"You don't need to be a lawyer or a therapist to be a CASA - my background is in accounting," explains Gerene Ellis, who has been a CASA for three years. "What really matters is an open heart and the willingness to show up consistently for a child, helping them feel like the top priority during a scary and unpredictable time. CASA provides all the training you need, and the staff are there to support you every step of the way."

State law requires that the courts contact CASA of NH first when appointing a Guardian ad litem (GAL) to a case. Judges across New Hampshire value CASA advocates for their ability to bring extra care and attention to the case, potentially helping to create better outcomes for victimized children because they usually only serve on one case at a time, having the ability to devote much more time and attention to the children and learning more about their lives and needs.

"Deciding on what I believe to be in a child's best interest is not always easy," admits Deborah Evans, a CASA volunteer since 2020, "but my personal relationship with the children, the support of CASA staff, and knowing that the Family Court always takes notice of my reports and listens closely to what I have to say makes the role worthwhile."

CASA volunteers speak regularly with parents, relatives, foster parents, social workers, teachers, and medical providers. They identify any unmet needs of the child and determine solutions with the child's support team. They write court reports, attend court hearings, and speak to the judge about the child's progress, giving the judge the confidence to make informed decisions that are in the child's best interest.

Lisa Maronski, a volunteer for 16 years, describes her experience: "My CASA cases have involved children, from babies to teenagers, who find themselves in the court system due to neglect or abuse. Being a CASA has been very rewarding as each case has the objective of working in the best interest of the child. That best interest is gleaned from visiting the child and the people in the child's life, writing a court report with the findings, consulting with my CASA supervisor when needed, and attending the court hearing."

Volunteers typically spend about 10-15 hours a month on their case, with more time spent in the first 90 days of the case assignment. They stay with the case until the child is in a safe, permanent home or another permanent solution is in place, with cases lasting on average about two years.

"As a stay-at-home mom, I can do most of my CASA work while my own kids are at school," says Gerene Ellis. "It's given me a way to fill my cup and give back to my community while still keeping my own life and family at the center."

Al Nover, another Bedford advocate, had a similar realization about available time: "Several years ago, I started working out of my home and realized that I had enough surplus time to volunteer for a worthy cause, and CASA immediately came to mind. My first case was a four-year-old girl who was successfully reunited with her mother in six months. Just seeing the happy reunion of mother and daughter was all the reward I needed."

In fiscal year 2025, 1,487 children were served, with 262 children being reunified with their families (first choice), 141 children being adopted, and 15 youth entered the HOPE program, which supports foster youth as they transition to adulthood. There were 664 volunteers and 13,324 visits made, and enough time spent with children to add up to 9.5 years!

The impact extends far beyond the immediate case. "CASA work can sometimes feel like a narrow impact - one volunteer, one child, one case at a time," reflects Gerene Ellis. "But the truth is, that single connection can ripple through a lifetime. When a child learns what a healthy home and safe relationships look like, it raises the bar for what they'll accept, what they'll model for their own children, and what they'll bring into their community."

Mary Atwell, who has been a CASA for 25 years, has witnessed this ripple effect firsthand: "One of my early cases was a 5-month-old boy. That boy is now a 22-year-old man with a son of his own. I was able to work with his foster parents and the court to determine that his best interest would be served by adoption. As a CASA GAL advocate, I've had the opportunity to feel as if I truly have made a difference."

"For me, there is no greater reward as a CASA than helping a child realize their voice matters," says Gerene Ellis. "Sometimes, making that connection is as simple as showing up consistently. Many of these children have never been made a priority, so when they find the confidence to speak for themselves - especially in court or a private meeting with a judge - it's incredibly powerful."

Al Nover echoes this sentiment about the two teenage boys he currently serves: "My heart goes out to them. Just being a teenage boy in today's world is challenging enough without being separated from one's family. I'm grateful that I have been able to make a connection with them, and that they understand that I'm on their side, and that I'm working solely on their behalf with the hope of a brighter future for them."

Despite it not being a simple volunteer opportunity, the effort put into it is just what makes it so successful and wonderful for the child. There are many trainings available throughout the year for support, social outings, access to peer mentor support groups, and the staff who are always there to help and guide you.

"Volunteering for CASA is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done," says Deborah Evans. "After some in-depth training, it has enabled me to positively impact the lives of several children who had entered the family court system."

If your heart has been moved to be a transforming presence in a child's life, you will find it extremely rewarding. Advocates come from all backgrounds, no prior professional experience required, and around 40% of CASA's advocates are retired and not working, while the rest are either full or part-time. Anyone interested can attend a virtual informal information session held twice a month. These sessions are encouraged to see if this is the right opportunity for you before beginning the application process and are hosted by two CASA of NH staff members and a current advocate. If you move forward, then submitting an application is next, followed by an interview through Zoom and 40 hours of comprehensive pre-service training. Then you meet your assigned Advocate Supervisor, who helps you every step of the way while you finally begin changing a child's story!

For more information and to see the virtual information session schedule, visit casanh.org and click volunteer.