Hello! My name is Sadie Benoit. I was born and raised in Chackbay, Louisiana, but I have been a resident of Houma for almost 2 years now. I have been with my now fiancé for 8 years and we are getting married in September. When I am not wedding planning, I enjoy gardening, shopping, reading, and spending time with friends, family, and my fur babies. I have two cats (Bindi and Blake) and a beagle (Vincent). I am super grateful for my pets as we spend a lot of time together since I work from home as an accountant. They are the best coworkers!
I joined CASA in July of 2023 and have been working on the same case ever since. I originally heard about CASA years ago and always said I would do it but didn’t think I had the time with college and my job. In 2023, I walked into the Roux for a Reason cookoff and the first booth I saw contained a bunch of smiling faces in CASA attire. I took that as the final sign and decided to make the jump.

CASA has brought me a sense of purpose that I didn’t have before. I would say that I spend about four hours a month on my case. While my daily life is very hectic, I have found committing to a set visitation schedule has helped me ensure that my visits never get missed. I make sure to see my CASA child on the third Wednesday of the month, every month so that we have a schedule until the end of time. Those one hour visits every month bring me so much joy that I can hardly wait for the next one! All throughout the month, I make sure to make note of every point of contact that I have. When it comes time for court reports, it is as easy as just summarizing what has occurred. I see the court reports as a means of reflection as it is so astonishing to see the pictures of the child change and note the changes that they have made over time. I would say that my greatest accomplishment in CASA so far was the first time my CASA child ran up and hugged me. It made every second spent so worth it to see that they saw the commitment and love that we at CASA all have for them. To anyone thinking of becoming a CASA, I would say just do it. Once you start, you will not regret it. You do not know what you are missing!

CASA volunteers are referred to the office in many different ways. They may have heard an ad on the radio, seen one of our printed advertisements, or seen us at one of the many events that we are a part of. However, the best way to get a new advocate into the office is through word of mouth of either a previous advocate or a staff member. That is how our next spotlight came to volunteer at CASA. Paige Gisclair was encouraged to attend an information session by previous executive director, Laci Melancon. Laci obviously saw the passionate qualities in Paige that would make her a great CASA volunteer. Paige swore in at CASA of Terrebonne in June of 2022. Since that time, she has served on two different cases with a total of three children. Paige is a quiet but efficient advocate. She doesn’t require a lot of oversight but her recommendations are on point. Paige spends her CASA month visiting with the children, checking in with associated parties and speaking to her supervisor. She prepares for court by reviewing her notes and contacting the family and her supervisor to ensure that she has a clear picture of the case.
Paige has been married to Timothy Gisclair for the last five years. They have one son, Levi. She is currently the program director for the Coastal Technical Assistance Center. She loves to travel, solve puzzles and spend time with friends and family. Paige is not a Houma native. She was born in Austin, TX and raised in Houston, TX. She didn’t move here until 2018. Paige states she has love for three C’s: CASA, Coffee and Crawfish. Not bad things to love in our opinion!
Paige says her greatest accomplishment as a CASA is being able to serve children who are in need and see them thrive in their environments. When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about being a CASA she stated, “CASA allows you to make a lasting impact on a child’s life that you will not regret!” Finally, Paige said that when you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure to lean on your CASA peers and the staff to get the job done.

CASA of Terrebonne is comprised of both paid staff members and volunteers. When we say volunteer, one would assume we are talking about our advocates, those who take cases. While that is partially correct, we also have another set of volunteers who are not as often spotlighted or given the recognition they deserve. For this reason, we have added them to the pool of volunteers we choose randomly to be featured in the monthly newsletter. Our board of directors is a set of volunteers who are in charge of fundraising and ensuring our program runs as a well-oiled machine. This month we are honored to introduce you to our first board member to be spotlighted, Shelly Toups.
Shelly is married to Jared Toups and they have been married for 21 years. They have 2 children, Brent and Lindsay Toups. They also have 2 dogs, Blu a silver lab and Ori a bloodhound. Shelly is the owner of Artistic Embroidery here in Houma. By the way, they do WAY more than just embroidery. Shelly is a lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish. She is active in the community and loves to garden, travel and spend time with family and friends.
Shelly has been associated with CASA of Terrebonne since 2012. At that time, she began donating the beautiful collared shirts that our volunteers are gifted with when they are recognized as Volunteer of the Month/volunteer spotlight. Due to this donation as well as her overall support of the CASA of Terrebonne program, Shelly was awarded the 2017 Angel of the Year award at our annual banquet. Following that award, she was approached by Mr. Skipper Kornegay to officially join the CASA of Terrebonne board. As she said, “How could anyone tell HIM no?” I don’t think anyone ever told Mr. Skipper no, for anything. So, she said yes and states she has never regretted it.
Shelly describes CASA of Terrebonne as an organization that is loving and giving. Everyone is pulling the same rope, which is to put the children in the program first. No one ever refuses to participate or step up when needed. She states, “This to me is a stellar group of individuals and I am so appreciative to be a part.” She feels that her greatest accomplishment as a board member is their successful fundraising events. Each time they meet and exceed their goals. These events fund the program to further assist our CASA children with their needs.
So, what would Shelly tell someone who is interested in volunteering somewhere? She would say JOIN CASA! Jump in with both feet and never look back. Yes, times may get tough, but just know there is an amazing staff and board that has your back no matter what. She feels we all work well together and apart. At the end it all comes together for the greater good for the organization and the children we serve.
What if you don’t have the time to be a full time advocate or board member? Shelly states supporting CASA either with service or financially, your efforts will benefit so many individuals. If you are skeptical about supporting CASA, please take the time to do some research on our CASA of TERREBONNE program. You would be greatly surprised that the time and money is well spent. Talk to the staff, board members, and other advocates and hear all the success stories.
In closing, Shelly shares, “In 2018 I never thought that one organization could change a person’s life, let alone make you want to do more and get the message out. I feel CASA of TERREBONNE is hitting its stride and we are getting more recognition in the community and our voice for the children we serve is being heard. It’s not about the adults who have stepped up to help, in the end it is truly about the children that do not have a VOICE. We are their VOICE and we need more people to become a voice for the children still on the (waiting) list.”

This month we would like to introduce you to Priscilla Callais. Priscilla has been with CASA of Terrebonne for four and a half years and she has been a force to reckon with since she first swore-in. In 2020, we created the Rookie of the Year award largely in part for Priscilla as she had only been an advocate for a short amount of time so didn’t qualify for Advocate of the Year but we wanted to highlight her accomplishments in the short amount of time she was present. To date, Priscilla has worked on 4 cases with a total of 12 children! The children, biological parents, foster parents and everyone associated with these cases have been impacted by the quality of advocacy and love she puts into all of her casework. Priscilla has been married to Kevin Callais for 34 years. They have 2 daughters, Katelyn and Lindsey, 2 sons-in-love, 4 grandchildren, 2 foster grandchildren, 5 dogs, 1 cat, and a fish tank of cichlids. She has been working for the same company since she was 18 years old for a total of 36 years. Her sense of loyalty is astounding. She has resided in Houma for the majority of her life. Something unusual that Priscilla shared is that she enjoys watching surgical videos and Dr. Pimple Popper. She states that something she wants others to know about herself is that she loves Jesus. She gave her life at the age of 13 and couldn’t imagine going through life without her faith.
When talking about the work she does for CASA, we asked what her typical monthly schedule looks like. She does have two cases that keep her pretty busy. She tries to stay in contact with all parties including foster parents, schools and case managers. She may just send a text or email to keep lines of communication open between all parties. When it is time for her to write a court report, she reviews her contact logs and text messages focusing on what is the most important thing for the Judge to know. She states she is careful with her word choices because if the child ever has access to her report she does not want them to feel she was being negative toward them or their parents. To prepare for her court dates she states she will print her contact logs and read them through along with her court report.
When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking about becoming a CASA she stated, “My advice to anyone considering becoming a CASA would be to sign up for the classes. Listen to what is said and decide if it’s right for you. I know God laid being a CASA on my heart and I am so glad he did. Being obedient to my calling has led me to meet some awesome young people that I otherwise would never have had the opportunity to meet. Maybe in some small way, I made an impression. CASA has also allowed me to make some lifelong friendships that I am so grateful for.” Priscilla leaves us with this unfortunate truth, “Not all experiences with CASA are joyful. There are some tough situations. There were days when I questioned my calling and felt as though I wasn’t the right person for the children. At the end of the day, they will be a part of me for the rest of my life. When they come into my mind I pray for them. I can’t think of a better way to be a part of their lives.”

This month we would like to introduce you to Amanda Reeves Gregory. Amanda has been an advocate for a little over a year. She was sworn in October 2022. In this short time, she has advocated for three children in two different cases. She has been a positive influence on both of her cases. She has been married to Nick Gregory for 9 years and they have three boys ages 2, 5, and 7. Also in the mix is a mini golden doodle named Oscar.  She is currently a stay-at-home mom. She is the keeper of the organized chaos that they call life. In her spare time, she loves to read. She also enjoys playing tennis, doing Pilates and being with family. Amanda was born and raised in Houma, La. She has also lived in Ruston, New Orleans, and Houston. Amanda’s mother was on the board of CASA of Terrebonne and went through the training class. After learning about CASA from her mom it seemed like a perfect fit for Amanda who always looked for ways to help children in the community. Amanda not only has a bachelor’s degree, she is also a licensed cosmetologist.
Amanda says that her CASA monthly schedule is not very overwhelming. She makes visits once a month with her CASA children. She also stays in touch with them by phone or FaceTime. She communicates with the other parties of the case via text or phone for updates and to keep the lines of communication open. When it is time to prepare for court she makes sure she has the most up-to-date understanding of all aspects. She likes to have an idea of what may happen when she goes to court, though she understands you will never know for sure. She stated that her greatest accomplishment so far was actually signing up and completing training. After that first big step, everything else was easy. And in the moments that it’s not so easy, it’s worth it.
The advice that Amanda would give to anyone who is thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer is “to take that first step, sign up, and take the classes. You can always change your mind after you've completed your training, but she doubts you will because by then you'll realize the opportunity you have to make a difference in a child's life. If joining CASA is something you've had on your heart, take the chance. The staff at CASA is amazing and walks you through it every step of the way.”

This month we would like to introduce you to one of our newest advocates, Emma Frickey. She has been a CASA volunteer for approximately four (4) months. She is advocating on a single child at this time with plans to take a second case soon. She first heard about CASA through friends that were involved. She didn’t think she could handle the CASA work as she is soft hearted and didn’t think she could be beneficial to the program. She was prompted to finally take action following a horrific incident in our community and she realized just how much help was needed for our most vulnerable population. Emma has always had a servant’s heart. She enjoys working with children and individuals with intellectual disabilities. She previously worked at TARC where she has maintained many friendships with the clients she served. She is currently a stay at home Nana to her grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family. She has been married to Everette Frickey for nine (9) years. They share five (5) daughters and a son. Emma is originally from Bourg, La but moved to Amberg, Germany with her first husband who was in the army. They then moved to Georgia and eventually moved back to Houma.
In speaking about what is involved monthly as a CASA volunteer, she stated that she visits her CASA child at least once a month. She writes her observations down and submits them to her supervisor. She said that her supervisor is always there for any questions that she may have. She feels like her greatest accomplishment is taking the first step to actually become a CASA volunteer. She states that anyone thinking about becoming a CASA should JUST DO IT. There are so many children who need to know someone is there for them!
Thank you, Emma Frickey, for your service to our organization. We are grateful that you took the leap of faith and joined us. For your commitment to our program you will be receiving a CASA polo shirt donated by Artistic Embroidery.

This month we would like to introduce you to CASA volunteer, Sherry Punch. She has been an advocate since August of this year and she has been a phenomenal asset to our program. Sherry is a mother to two sweet girls ages three and six. Sherry comes to us with a wealth of knowledge through her professional endeavors. She is a doctor of psychology and a professional chef. She states that she combines her passion for existential coaching, hypnotherapy, and culinary arts. Her goal is to guide individuals toward self-discovery, healing, and personal transformation. Through profound conversations, therapeutic techniques, and the artistry of cooking, she aims to nourish both the mind and palate on the journey to a more fulfilling existence. She co-hosts a new podcast: Be Honest: Relationship Talks with Dr. Yana and Dr. Sherry.
Sherry was raised in Chauvin and she joined the Navy after graduating high school. She spent the majority of her adulthood residing in San Diego, CA. She returned to Terrebonne Parish five years ago. Sherry states she loves quotes, rock climbing and thrilling water sports such as knee boarding and hydro sliding. Sherry said her greatest accomplishment is earning her PhD and the journey of motherhood.
Sherry was assigned to her first case in September. She states that her CASA schedule is communicating with the foster parent a couple of times a month and having face-to-face visits with the child. Sherry has not had to write a court report or attend court yet. She plans to begin reviewing her notes and reaching out to other individuals to fill in the gaps of information to prepare for her upcoming court report and court appearance. Sherry thanks Molly Arrington, a dedicated CASA volunteer, who inspired her and her journey to becoming a CASA.
When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about becoming a CASA, She said, “As is resonated in a Whitney Houston song, children are the “greatest love of all;” they remind us of" how we used to be." Advocating for children is a blessing. In chaos, it only takes a moment to inspire a child’s world. Children are our future, and the time we give now shall be the reward we see when a child’s voice and story change someone else’s life; perhaps someday, it will change the world. I’m eternally grateful for this gift of giving and strengthening our community through the eyes of a child. After all, in the words of Mother Teresa, “Together we can do great things.”

CASA of Terrebonne would like to introduce you to Danielle Walker, who has been a CASA advocate since June 2021, after speaking to a CASA advocate at the gym. She was born in Bourg but moved away and lived in Washington DC for fourteen (14) years and then Manhattan for three (3). She came home during the COVID lockdown and has been here ever since. She loves being back home. A majority of her career was spent working in US-African government affairs.
Danielle’s time as an advocate has been spent on a single case with one child. She has spent the last two years advocating for permanency for her CASA child. In her opinion, the child had the best possible outcome which was to be adopted by a family and in the same home as a biological sibling. She stated that a typical month as an advocate changed over the length of the case. Typically, she would be in contact with the foster mother a few times per month and make a monthly visit to stay up to date on the child. When the court date approached, she began working on her court report that was submitted to the court. She would think about the big picture of what’s happened since the last hearing, sketch that out, then fill in details and examples, and then make recommendations. Danielle would then prepare for court by reviewing her case notes to make sure she got all of the questions answered and connecting with her supervisor to make sure all things were in order. Danielle was very successful in her advocacy and in the end, the child’s best interest was served.
Our advocates are everyday members of society. They don’t have any special education or degree relating to social services. The only thing they need is the heart to help children and to complete thirty (30) hours of pre-service training. Danielle, for example, is the co-host of The State of Freedom, a podcast about Louisiana politics from a Christian conservative perspective. She is also an online retail business owner who sells handcrafted jewelry and scarves that are made in Africa. Finally, she is also a member of a precious metal collectors club as a network marketer.
When asked what advice she would give someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA Danielle stated, “There’s no greater or more important investment you can make than the life of a child.” We at CASA of Terrebonne agree wholeheartedly with that statement.

This month we would like to introduce you to Sandy Trahan. Sandy is a relatively new advocate to CASA of Terrebonne. She swore in on April 25, 2023. She was introduced to CASA in 2017 when her adopted daughter was still in foster care. Her amazing CASA volunteer, Rushelle Fitzgerald showed her the importance of a CASA for the kids we serve. In the years following her daughter's adoption, she took time to just be a mom to her little girl. Then last year a friend of hers asked her to join the CASA class with her. She was unfortunately not able to do it at the time, however, she did join the next class. After swearing in, Sandy was assigned to a case with three siblings. She has worked diligently to establish a relationship with the children, and all involved parties. She states, "Like every other volunteer, I want to help make a difference for these children".
Sandy is the mother of a six (6) year old daughter, Isabella, "Izzy" for short. They have a cat, Sonya and a little old chihuahua named Little Man. She currently works part-time at Walther Animal Clinic and is also a member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society. She loves growing and learning new things about orchids and participates in orchid shows in the South Louisiana area. Sandy is a lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish, mainly residing in Bayou Dularge.
When asked what advice she would give to others who are thinking about joining CASA she said, "CASA is a great organization to be a part of. Everyone in the administration and the other volunteers want to see you succeed. It's a great experience in giving back to the community and gives you perspective".

This month, CASA of Terrebonne would like to introduce you to Mia Foret. Mia is one of our youngest advocates but don’t let that fool you, she comes with a heart full of compassion for her CASA kids. Mia learned about CASA from visiting our booth at Southdown Marketplace and winning the raffle for a swag bag. Once she learned about the CASA role and what the requirements were, she signed up for the very next training class. She has a psychology degree from Nicholls State University and is familiar with social services. She believed our program would be a good fit and we totally agree. Mia has been a CASA volunteer since May of 2021. She has served on two different cases and a total of three children.

Mia is a lifelong resident of Houma, however, in the future, she would like to move out of state. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video games, being outdoors, decorating for fall, traveling and watching sports. Mia is currently an adult probation and parole officer. She enjoys being a point of support, especially for children. Mia does not have any children of her own; however, she has a nine-year-old godchild, Bella, whom she enjoys a special bond with. She also has a two-year-old tuxedo cat named Sir Reginald who is very important to her. While Mia is traveling, she enjoys trying different ramen restaurants!

When asked what her advice would be to anyone thinking of becoming a CASA she said “I recommend it if anyone has even the smallest interest to work with youth. It is a great way to connect and get involved with a role that makes a difference.” Mia further shared that being able to provide goodie boxes and gifts to her CASA children has been such a delightful part of the process. We are thankful for advocates like Mia as well as our supporters who make Mia’s role possible!

This month we would like you to get to know Carey Redmond. Carey has been a CASA advocate for seven years. In this time, she has advocated on a variety of cases and has made a difference in the lives of eight children from five different cases. She was recently assigned to her sixth case!
Carey was born and raised in Houma. She moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU but then returned to Houma after graduation. Carey has been married to her husband Glenn for 8 years. They have one son, Henry and two pups, Jackson and Scarlet who both think they are humans. In her spare time Carey enjoys watching LSU football, trying new restaurants and reading. She also volunteers her time at Cross Church on their reach team. She states her family means everything to her. They enjoy watching Henry play the various sports he is involved in.
Carey is helpful to both CASA staff and volunteers in her position with the Terrebonne Parish School Board in the Special Education Department. Carey has given an advocate in-service on how to be an active participant in the IEP process and how to ensure they are being followed. She has met with staff to explain how to read and interpret educational records so that we can best advocate for our children’s education needs. Carey has been with Terrebonne Parish School District for 23 years and the last 10 have been with Special Education.
Carey states she first heard about CASA through a friend several years back. It caught her interest because the CASA program is all about helping children. She states, “Being my passion is teaching and adoring children, it just felt right to me. Being an educator, she is able to help children every day, but I wanted to do more.” Carey continues, “Being a CASA volunteer has been truly such a rewarding experience for me.”
If you are thinking about becoming a volunteer, Carey’s advice to you would be to “jump in! This is an opportunity to make such a monumental impact on a child’s life! Being a CASA gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference in a child’s life. Sometimes we are the only voice for these children. Every child deserves someone in their corner to love and support them! “
Thank you for your continued dedication to our CASA program Carey! Our teachers and retired teachers offer a unique insight that makes their advocacy superb. We appreciate all that you do.

This month we will introduce you to Lani Tarr, who is new to CASA of Terrebonne but not new to working with at-risk children. Lani works for the Lafourche Parish FINS (Families in Need of Services). There, she assists families in which children are dealing with truancy, breaking curfew, runaway, and other issues. She helps connect them to services that can get the family back on track to avoid court involvement.
Lani is married to Simon Tarr and has been for 33 years. They have three adult children, Kyler, Jasmine and Kiana. They also have three grandbabies, Avianah - 12, Adonis – 9 and Amijah - 4. Rounding out their family, are two dogs, two cats and a bunny. Lani has been a resident of Terrebonne Parish since 1992. She was born and raised outside of Denver, Colorado. At the age of 20 she moved to Orem, Utah where she met her husband, Simon. Lani can often be found at Sports Performance Center working out. She states that she feels lost when she can’t make it there. She also enjoys crafting, making jewelry and crocheting.
When you meet Lani you immediately notice her “go get it” attitude. This is evident when you learn that Lani is a high school dropout but also, a summa cum laude college graduate. She is the epitome of the saying, “You can achieve whatever you set your mind to.” Even with such academic achievements under
her belt, she states that all she ever wanted was to be a wife and mother and is grateful that she has her dream fulfilled. As previously stated, Lani is rather new to our CASA program, only being sworn in on March 20, 2023. She is already starting on her second case. When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking about becoming a CASA she states, “It seems so scary to make such an important commitment to someone, but once you do the training and have the support of your supervisor and the whole CASA staff, it is not as intimidating as you would think. You pretty much schedule everything according to your schedule, so that makes it easy too. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of some of these kids, but if we don’t step up to help, who will? They need us and it is so rewarding!”
Lani always knew that at some point she would volunteer for CASA but it was a matter of timing. There is no better time for her than right now! Welcome to the CASA community Lani! We are so proud to have you!

When I think of all of the dedicated advocates that I have worked with through the years and the stories from their cases, I always remember Tasha Lirette and her tenacity to see her first case through to safe and permanent homes.
Tasha is married to Dustin Lirette and has been for seven years. She is the mother of two children; Conner who is 20 years old and Andrew who is two years old. She taught kindergarten for nine and half years and she currently works from home. Tasha was born and raised in Vacherie, La. She has been a resident of Houma for approximately 23 years. In her spare time, Tasha enjoys spending time with her family and cleaning her house. Something fun about Tasha that most don’t know is that she is a very good handywoman and she loves fixing things. She can sometimes be found building something new for her home.
Tasha came to CASA after hearing about us through the school system. Someone from our program went and spoke to the staff about CASA. However, it wasn’t until she stopped teaching that she was able to commit to volunteering for CASA. Tasha has fought through halfhearted attempts of compliance, manipulation, lies and threats in her cases. Yet, she never backed down from doing what was right. Tasha has been a volunteer advocate for four years. She has worked on two different cases both with three girls each.
She stated she became a CASA to advocate for the children. However, now she sees it as advocating for her family. The children she has advocated for in the past are a large part of her family. After the adoption, she was asked to be godmother to two of the girls. She is still a large part of their lives. When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking of becoming a CASA she said, “Don’t think about it, do it.” She further says that advocating will change your life.
Tasha feels that becoming a CASA is one of the best things she has done. It has changed her life in ways she never imagined. Her greatest joy of being a CASA is seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when they know you are there for them.

CASA of Terrebonne would like to introduce you to one of our precious gems, Cynthia Ann Beeson, or Mrs. Ann as we call her. Ann has been with CASA for 11 years. She has worked five cases for a total of 11 children.
Ann was born in Alexandria, Louisiana and moved to Houma when she was seven years old. She met her husband, Gary Beeson, for the first time when she was 12 years old. They have been married for 52 years. She says he is and will always be her forever love! Together they have four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and they are her whole world. It’s not uncommon for her to have any given combination of them at her home on any given day.
Ann is a retired paraprofessional from Terrebonne Parish and worked for 20 years in the school system. She loved her job and found it very rewarding. It comes as no surprise that she would find CASA just as rewarding, if not more so. A good friend of Ann's is what led her to CASA. She felt she had something to offer the children due to her experience with the school system.
In her spare time, Ann is a gardener. She loves plants and flowers of all kinds but her favorite is the Cajun Hibiscus. She says she only has about 50 different ones and may need more. She keeps telling Jenny that there are certain plants that she can’t kill…..however, Jeny keeps proving Ann wrong! If you are looking for Ann during Mardi Gras season look no further than the parade route. She DOES NOT miss a single parade even if it's cold or raining! She is a member of the Krewe of Cleopatra and has been for 36 years. She no longer rides but keeps her membership active to be a part of the celebrations.
Something that others may not know about her is that she taught cheerleading and softball for several years. When her children were playing she never missed a game and was the loudest parent in the stand! (That isn’t too hard to believe…she loves her kids)
In Ann’s 11 years of volunteering for CASA, she has been awarded CASA of Terrebonne’s Advocate of the Year as well as Louisiana CASA’s Advocate of the Year. She is truly a treasure to our program. When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking about becoming a CASA she said, “Believe in yourself! Don’t give up on yourself or the children you advocate for. You may not think they are listening to you, but I assure you that they are.” Ann has stayed in close contact with her CASA children, some of whom are adults now. They still reach out to her for love, comfort and support. They truly know she will always be there for them.

This month we would like to introduce you to Nathan Aucoin. He was sworn in on July 14, 2022, and is still working on his very first case with one little boy. He recommends that anyone thinking of becoming a CASA volunteer that they should jump in with both feet because the time it takes is minimal and the hope you provide can be life-changing.

If you notice Nathan's last name, he shares that with the one and only Christine Aucoin. Christine and Nathan have been married for 38 years. They have two adult sons, Joshua and Mitchell. They also have two grandbabies, Amelia three years old and Louis who is eight months old and their step-grandson Connor, who is 19. Their pets include six laying hens. Amelia LOVES to tend to the chickens. Nathan has been hanging around the office since Christine came to CASA six years ago. Once she moved into the executive director's role, Nathan became an office regular. He is one of the most kind and sincere people I know. He is sure to stop in to check on everyone, fix anything we need fixed and occasionally will drop goodies by for the staff.

Nathan is employed by Crosby Energy. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, gardening, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren. A fun fact about Nathan is that he will NEVER pass up the opportunity to go shopping for his grandchildren. To say they are the light of his world is an understatement. Nathan was born in Morgan City but raised in Houma. He has been a resident of Houma for the past 56 years, with short amounts of time spent living in other areas including Mississippi and Texas for work. But this is Home!

Nathan decided to take the plunge and become an advocate in 2022. He has worked extremely hard to maintain contact with all associated parties. It is not unheard of for Nathan to drop off a box of donuts or some cookies for the DCFS staff. He shows up to visits at the foster home with pizza and snacks. He has truly embodied the Southern saying that the fastest way to the heart is through the belly. These things have served him well.

When asked why he chose to become a volunteer with CASA he said, “I got involved hoping I could make a difference in at least one child’s life. I was blessed to come from a family that loved and cared for me daily. Seeing these kids going through trials without a family foundation, brings us all down as a society. Children getting caught in these situations deserve all the care we can provide.” Thank you Nathan for your dedication and commitment to CASA of Terrebonne. We appreciate you.

This month we would like to introduce you to one of our most intriguing advocates, Corree Eschete. Corree previously served as a CASA in 2017, advocating for three children. After stepping away due to personal reasons, she returned in 2021 and is now advocating on behalf of an infant child.
Corree was born and raised in Chauvin. She enrolled in the military and served 20 years with the United States Army. During her time, she served our country in Bosnia and Iraq. She retired from the Army as a Combat Medic. From all of us at CASA of Terrebonne, thank you for your service Corree.
Corree returned home and has set her roots in Houma for the last 10 years. Upon her retirement from the military, she completed her master’s degree in healthcare administration. In her spare time, Corree really enjoys traveling. Although her roots are in Houma, she has been to 21 different countries. She has a goal to visit each of the states within the United States of America and she is halfway to completing that goal! In her travels, she has seen James Brown in concert and has also met President Bill Clinton and Vice President Hillary Clinton. When she is not traveling and has some downtime you may catch her binge-watching her favorite TV shows. She also enjoys spending time with her family. She has seven nieces and one nephew, along with three godchildren, Spenser, Madison, and Parrish. She shares her home with three cats; Romeo, Monk, and Teenie.
The parents in Corree’s current case chose to enroll in Family Preservation Court to achieve reunification with their child. Corree is actively participating in the process and has been instrumental in helping to move the case along.
Corree believes that CASA work is important because children need to have a voice. She assists in representing that voice in all aspects of the CINC proceedings including Family Preservation Court. She used her voice at times when the child’s voice was muffled. She has ensured their safety and comfort. She encourages anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer to go in wholeheartedly and with an open mind. Be consistent and compassionate. She says, “It’s a long bumpy road, but all worth it at the end of the day. These children matter.”
Thank you Corree for your 20 years of service to our country and now for serving the children of Terrebonne Parish. We appreciate you and the hard work that you do on a monthly basis.

This month we would like to introduce you to Sherry Mahaney. Sherry was sworn-in November 2020. Since becoming a CASA volunteer, she in total has worked three cases for a total of nine children. Sherry is a lifelong resident of Houma, La. She has been married to Paul Mahaney for 17 years. She has two daughters, Mandy, and Kari, three granddaughters, Kaylee, Kelsi and Danae’, and a Yorkie named Mollie. She is currently living a retired lifestyle. She enjoys spending her days playing online backgammon and spades. She also enjoys traveling. Prior to retired life, Sherry was a teacher in the Terrebonne Parish school system. She spent 20 years teaching mostly fifth grade at Elysian Fields Elementary School.
Sherry joined CASA along with her daughter Kari Griffin. Sherry had previously heard of CASA but was unsure of what we did or what role she could play. When Kari approached her with interest in joining CASA, Sherry began to dig a little deeper and researched the CASA of Terrebonne program. While doing her research she came across CASA of Terrebonne’s recruitment video where many of our current volunteers ended their interview with “Just do It”. She and Kari decided to take the leap and join our CASA family and was sworn in November 2020. Sherry and Kari worked their first two cases together. For her latest case Sherry has ventured out on her own. Sherry shared that she feels as though she makes a positive impact on the children she serves by focusing on their best interests. She says, “We become a part of that child’s life and they know who we are and look forward to our monthly visits.” When asked what advice she would give to someone who was thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer she echoed the words that brought her to CASA of Terrebonne, “Just do it”!

CASA would like to introduce you to is Christian Falcon. He swore into the program in July of 2022 and soon after took his first case involving a teenage boy. Christian has been married to Candie Falcon for 28 years. They have four children, one granddaughter, and four dogs. Christian also has two large saltwater fish tanks that he enjoys. He is an active member of the community. Christian volunteers at Cross Church by leading the usher team, men’s group and outreaches. He definitely has a servant’s heart. In his spare time, he also enjoys hunting and cooking. In his professional life, Christian is an account manager for PSI and provides for filtration in refineries and gas plants.

Christian joined CASA because his dad was a CASA in Assumption Parish. It is something that he has wanted to do for a while now. He was approached by a fellow CASA, Priscilla Callais, who informed him of an information session and he jumped in! When he was first assigned to his case, Christian struggled to connect. A breakthrough came after an incident when the child became angry and Christian voiced his disappointment to the child. The child realized that Christian cared enough about him to voice his concerns to him and started to trust his CASA more.

Christian is one of just six male volunteers here at CASA of Terrebonne. When asked what he would tell someone thinking of becoming a CASA he says, “Search your heart and pray about it. Know that it is a commitment and that there are sometimes more sad days than happy but you will be positively impacting a child’s life. You can make a difference”. Christian’s goal as a CASA is to be a male role model to older boys who may be missing that aspect in their lives. 

This month CASA would like to introduce you to Gina Danos. Gina is the Fire Chief of the Montegut Fire Department. She is the first female fire chief in Terrebonne Parish. Although she has no children of her own, she has many amazing kiddos that call her Nanny or Taunt G. Gina does share her home with her loveable furry roommate Coco Puff, a senior pup she rescued a year ago. She was immediately drawn to Coco Puff because her description was “social, independent, and likes naps” which Gina says is the puppy version of herself.
A native of Montegut, Gina is active in her community by serving in youth ministry at her church, coaching T-Ball in the summer, cooking, crabbing, and enjoying family game nights with her cousins. Whether she’s in court, church, or on the T-Ball field, you can bet she is wearing her trusty Crocs. Gina is a huge fan of Crocs and has a pair for any occasion. “If you ain’t Croc'n you ain’t rock’n” is something she often says.
Gina has been active with CASA since 2019. She became interested in the organization when she began to read information on the role of a volunteer. After a lot of reading and praying she applied and started her training. In the past three years, she has advocated on three cases all of which have closed. When one of her cases reopened recently she was ready to take it on and reconnect with the children. Gina encourages anyone interested in the CASA organization to share their time, talents and treasures with those in need. It truly takes a village. When asked for something to share, she wrote:
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”
~ St Mother Teresa

This month we would like to introduce you to Jonathan Russo. Jon came to CASA of Terrebonne back in 2013. His training was a bit rocky due to some staff changes going on right in the middle of it all. However, Jon came through and has been soaring ever since. In 2015 Jon was named our Advocate of the Year. He fought some very tough battles and advocated for his CASA kids in uncharted waters. In total, he has worked six cases for seven children. All of these are just a bit better for having known Jon. Jon is no stranger to the service field. He has been involved in numerous organizations throughout the years, including Institutional Review Board at TGMC, the Leadership team at First United Methodist Church, MacDonell Children’s Services, Vice President for Krewe of Terreanians, and many others.
Jonathan Russo is married to Pamela DeRoche Russo. They have been married for 38 years. They raised twin girls here in Terrebonne Parish. Ashley Russo Meche and Nicole Russo McGee are now adults with their own families. Jon and Pam enjoy spending time with their four grandchildren Sidney 6, Allie 4, KJ 5, and Noah 2. They also have a 10-year-old shih tzu named Harley. When Jon isn’t chasing grandbabies, he enjoys growing orchids and gardening. He and Pam also make some of THE BEST pepper jellies I have ever tasted! Jon also enjoys brewing beer and enjoying a cigar out of his large collection. Jon and Pam are owners of local businesses including Express Glass Inc, DeRoche Homes and DeRusso Properties. He personally has worked in the glass business for over 50 years.
Jon first became aware of CASA through a newspaper article. He and his wife had been talking about how blessed they were and that they needed to give back to the community. Jon shared, “CASA has been a lifetime experience for me, they have taught me empathy, compassion, patience and love. I am a better person today because of the fundamentals they have instilled in me. Just remember that God gave us each the talents and skills we have. Embrace them and use them.”
Thank you, Jonathan, for all you do for CASA and the children you serve.

Allison Eschete was born in New Orleans, LA, and raised in Houma, LA. For about 17 years she ventured out of Louisiana and become a resident of Mississippi where she graduated from Magnolia School of Cosmetology and worked at a Nissan Plant on the assembly line. When she moved back to Houma she met her now husband of 10 years, Kevin P. Eschete at a football party. Today Allison is a branch manager at First American Bank and Trust. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, fishing, sewing and baking. However, if there is a football game going on, know she is watching, especially if the saints are playing.
Allison first heard about CASA at First United Methodist Church of Houma. Being a CASA volunteer was an easy decision to make because the thought of helping another human being and knowing that she could make a difference was something that she knew would be possible.Allison has been with CASA for three years. She was assigned to her first CASA child in July 2019 and that adoption was finalized in December 2020. She had the privilege of seeing her CASA child develop in a healthy and loving environment. Upon completion of that case, Allison took a small break and then decided to advocate for another child. She has been on her second case for over a year. Allison believes that “Small changes can make a big impact” and we can not agree more! Thank you, Allison, for all that you do for your CASA children and for us!

This month we would like to introduce you to Cathy Duet. She has been a CASA volunteer for a year. She accepted a case shortly after being sworn in and is still assigned to the same case. Cathy graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1985 with a degree in nursing. She worked for 30 years at Chabert Medical Center and states that she was blessed with a rewarding career. She retired in 2018 and was able to care for her mother until she died later that year.
Cathy has been married to her best friend, Jody, for 33 years. They were both nurses and met in Baton Rouge while working at Earl K. Long Hospital. After they married in 1988, Cathy and Jody moved to Houma. They have two children who are both 25 years old. Catherine and Matthew were both adopted in 2002 from Kazakhstan. They have two canine kids, Molly, a two-year-old Golden and Chiwee, a 10-year-old Chihuahua. As an animal rescue family, they have had as many as five dogs and three cats at one time. Mrs. Cathy believes “they could have been the crazy family you read about in the paper!” She does say she is the happiest just spending time with Jody and the dogs. They enjoy finding good places to eat and taking Molly to the park.
Since retirement, Cathy spends most of her time doing volunteer work. She is rooted in the Catholic faith and very active in practicing and doing the work of the faith; thus most of her volunteer work is centered on activities within her church. She helps by doing office work, teaching CCD classes and the sacraments, participating in the nursing home ministry, coordinating special giving projects and whatever else may be needed. She also volunteers at the St. Vincent Pharmacy. When she is not doing volunteer work, she travels to Reserve several times a week to care for her handicapped niece.
Cathy loves to craft, and garden and is a huge fan of DIY; although she often gets in over her head. She admired her dad because he could fix just about anything that broke around their house. A few years ago when the heating element went out in her dryer she found the schematic for the dryer, ordered the parts, and successfully changed the heating element all by herself. She loves teasing her husband about how lucky he is to have her around.
Years ago, Cathy had a neighbor who was a CASA and she knew then that when she had time she would pursue this volunteer opportunity. Cathy’s CASA child is special needs. Since being appointed to her case she has watched not only the child make great progress but also has noticed true growth from the biological mother. She states that “it’s a feel-good story and I am filled knowing that at some point they may be reunited and both will be better versions of their prior selves.” Cathy states that if you want to become a volunteer,” it does take time, effort and commitment, yet so worth it!” As a nurse, she experienced the biggest rewards when she knew that she had taken the opportunity to help/guide someone. As a CASA, she gets that same reward. She concludes by saying, "Whether you are a trusted adult that a child can be open with or a change agent that ensures the safety and provides hope…you will make a difference. "

This month we would like to introduce you to one of our most interesting volunteers. Molly Arrington became a CASA about a year and a half ago and has advocated on two cases with a total of three children. She is a very active member of the community and wanted to make a difference in Houma. While Houma is not her original hometown, she considers this her home. She believes the people here are some of the kindest and most open people anywhere she has lived. That is saying A LOT!! Molly was born in Iowa, lived in Alaska, moved to an hour outside of New York City then joined the army and moved around with them. She did spend a large portion of her service in Fort Hood, Tx, and did one tour in Iraq. Molly served four and a half years in the US Army. After her time in the Army, she went to college and flight school to become a helicopter pilot. She has been flying helicopters for the last 20 years. She is currently flying the S-92 for oil and gas. For about 11 years Molly would commute to the area from Austin, New Orleans, Orlando, and Kansas City. She decided to make Houma “home” a little over three years ago. She states she enjoys living close to where she works and being able to create a community in Houma and she has become passionate about improving Houma’s community.
Molly has three dogs. Titan is a four-year-old rescue. He has the best eyeliner and best demeanor of any dog she's ever met. Jazzy aka Betty White is four-years-old. She came from a hoarding situation with over 100 dogs. She has made leaps and bounds with some love and with trust. She makes her laugh all the time and is the cutest 13-pounder I know. Micky is almost one-year-old and is incredibly smart and very handsome.
In her spare time, Molly enjoys spending time with her dogs, friends and family, doing cross-fit, cycling, kayaking, hiking, traveling, and learning new things. One of the many amazing things about Molly is that she has competed in numerous triathlons and plans to hike a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado this year.
Molly states, “My advice to someone thinking about being a volunteer for CASA is to just do it. There are children and families right now that will appreciate your time and love more than you will ever know. The love you give to someone cannot be measured and will never be forgotten. We all need a support system and we all can be part of someone else’s support system. The amount of joy it brings to spend time with my CASA children is amazing. I want them to know that there is someone out there that has their back and helps make them feel cared for and understood. I can help them today and hopefully help to make them have a better future too “. Molly, we thank you for your service and for all that you do for CASA and the Houma community and all those around you. You are an absolute treasure and a joy to be around.

This month, we would like for you to meet CASA volunteer, Ann Williams. Ann has served on a single child case since swearing-in almost a year ago. She has three children who are 43, 41, and 34, and is a grandmother to 10 grandchildren! Ann is a retired US Postal Servicewoman and fills her time with knitting, creating floral arrangements, and decorating for weddings/parties. She enjoys spending time with the elderly population and coloring when she can. Something unique about Ann is that she is a licensed minister/elder which is a driving force in her wanting to serve people.
Ann first learned about CASA through a postcard mailing campaign and she considers her advocacy a part of her ministry. She recalls a gospel song that speaks to the sentiments of her heart. It says, “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.” Ann considers it a joy to advocate, to be a voice on behalf of a child. She believes that all children deserve a chance to be heard. They deserve a chance to be raised in a stable loving environment. All children deserve a good childhood in spite of the situations that they have been a victim of. Ann states, “I advise any who has a love and concern for children to consider being a part of CASA, it’s a heavenly reward.”

This month, we would like to introduce a CASA volunteer who has been with our program since March 2019, Leah Voisin. Leah has been on one case and shares the case with her sister, Kristy Ledford. Leah is from Dularge/Theriot but now lives in Houma with her husband, Kevan Boudreaux. Kevan and Leah will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary on June 12th. As an animal lover, Leah has two dogs, Pierre and Lafitte, and three cats; Suchi, Mochi, and Maki. Kristy is Deputy Clerk at the Clerk of Court’s Office. She earned her undergraduate degree from SLU and her graduate degree from LSU. After college, she worked at Disney World for a short period. Leah enjoys playing board games, video games, and reading. She likes to travel and has ziplined through the Costa Rican rainforest.
While she was in Grad School, Leah worked at United Way/211Info and that is where she first heard about CASA. She said she wanted to become a CASA because she “wanted to make a positive change in a child’s life and in our community.” When asked what advice she would give about becoming a CASA, Leah said that new volunteers should be patient, “remember that you are doing this for the kids, even if the adults can be frustrating.”

This month we would like to introduce our community to one of our newer CASA Volunteers, Tiffany Guy. Tiffany swore in approximately six months ago and has been advocating for two children in her current case. Tiffany attributes her interest in CASA to her aunt Celeste, who was a CASA when Tiffany was just a teenager. She then connected with Sulma, our Training/Outreach Coordinator, at our outreach booth during Southdown Market Place. Tiffany is the mother of one daughter Paislynn Rose and two doggies, Stella and Addie. Tiffany was born and raised in Montegut and is a South Terrebonne High School graduate. She currently resides in Thibodaux but works in Houma. In her professional life, she is the Human Resource Position Control Specialist for Terrebonne Parish School District’s central office. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping, learning, fishing, traveling, camping, cooking, and enjoying time with friends and family. Something that is unusual about Tiffany is that even though she is 29 years old, she cannot whistle! Tiffany stated, “You don’t have to be wealthy to give back to your community. Meaningful time with others is more expensive than money.” What a true statement! Time is the most valuable thing that we have in our possession. How do you spend your extra time?
Tiffany chooses CASA because of her love and compassion for children. She also recognized the tremendous needs of our community. She also stated, “Dogs at the shelter get more attention and publicity than our own human babies and I wanted to do my part at shining light into a child’s life so they know that their story is heard and they are cared for.”
We are looking for everyday citizens to shine a light in a child’s direction, give them a voice and help them in their time of need. We each have a part to play so that the load isn’t so heavy to carry.

This month, CASA would like for you to meet Christine “Tina” Evans. She has been a CASA volunteer since 2013. She has worked on three cases and has made a difference in the lives of each of those children. She found out about CASA through working for Timothy Ellender, Jr. She would walk past the CASA office when the office was on Goode St. and eventually called and got some information then signed up for the class. We are so glad that she did. Tina states that she chose CASA because it is so hard to believe that we have so many children in our parish suffering and she wanted to be part of the solution to fix it. Her heart for the children is apparent whenever she talks about the issues involving the kids. She would like to see changes in the law to better protect the youth of our parish.
Tina is the mother of three children Catherine, Thomas, and Caroline. As a professional, she is a legislative assistant to Representative Jerome Zeringue. She also does the end-of-the-month reporting for a local business, Heavenly Scent. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors with her beau Craig, fishing, hunting, running, or anything outside. Tina is a native of Houma. She was born and raised here. She did move to Georgia for a while but feels so blessed to be back home. Something fun about Tina is that when she was 20 years old she worked for Gary Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest’s father. She also met Hank Aaron, but she didn’t know who he was and her excuse, was their TV only played Saints football! And YES, she did tell him that.
When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about being a CASA she said, “Take one day at a time. We have the most amazing supervisors to help with everything.” CASA of Terrebonne is blessed to have Tina as a CASA volunteer. Her passion is contagious! Her drive will be a factor in getting laws, policies and procedures changed.

This month we want to introduce you to Elaine Beyer. She has been with CASA for almost a year. She started CASA as one of our CASA Tutors and then went through the training to become an advocate. She was sworn in on March 25, 2021 and accepted her first case in July. Since then, she has worked hard through the trials of this year to advocate for the best interest of her CASA child. Elaine was inspired to become involved with CASA by her niece, Jade, who was once a foster child. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who were treated unfairly.
Elaine Beyer has been married to Dr. Matthew Beyer for 29 years. She has six daughters and one BRAND NEW granddaughter!! She has been a resident of Houma for approximately 23 years. She was born in Georgia and raised in Gonzales, La. If her name sounds familiar that is because she is a teacher at Vandebilt Catholic School and is involved in many different activities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling. She also thoroughly enjoys a good conversation.
Elaine is such a joy to work with. Her personality is full of fun, love and wisdom. She is a treasure to CASA of Terrebonne. When asked what advice she would give to someone who was thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer, she said, “I would share what I learned from Jade: it doesn’t have to be the perfect time and you don’t have to be the perfect person. What matters is that you are willing to love. The most important gift that you can give to any child is the knowledge that they are loved by someone – that they matter.” What a perfect explanation of what it takes to be a CASA volunteer. Elaine then went on to say that she is so glad that she didn’t allow fear to hold her back from being a CASA volunteer. Being a CASA has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

Meet Meagan Verret. She has been a CASA volunteer for 2 years. She has advocated on behalf of 2 children. Meagan is a pre-k teacher at Bourg Elementary. Her love for children and the happiness it brings her shines through in all that she does. Meagan has a strong faith in God; it is her guide in troubling times. Meagan is currently engaged. Unfortunately, her wedding was pushed back due to Hurricane Ida; but, she will be married on February 12, 2022 to her fiancé Hunter Hasler. She has one son, Colton, and three dogs, Chester, Mickey, and Beau. When not at work or tending to mommy duties she most enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves taking road trips, going fishing, and going camping.
Meagan is a lifelong resident of Houma. She is an only child and grew up in a typical Louisiana home. Meagan first heard about CASA through a friend in college. Meagan thought about being a volunteer for several years but felt like she didn’t have the time. Then one day she stumbled upon a flyer for training held in the summer. She felt this was God opening the window of opportunity to finally be a CASA volunteer. She was able to complete the training during the summer months while out of school.
When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about becoming a CASA she said, “Being a CASA is so truly rewarding. Our children need that consistent person in their life to bring love and happiness to them. Let your light shine and be a CASA! Meagan quotes the bible, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Let me introduce you to our volunteer advocate Jennifer Bonvillian. She is a mother to triplets, Chris, Kate, and John. They are in 3 different colleges in 3 different states. To say they keep Jennifer busy is an understatement. She also has a dog named Scout at home to keep her company while the kids are away. She is a retired speech-language pathologist who worked with the Early Steps Program. She was born in Houma and lived in Natchez, MS during high school. She returned to the Houma area after graduating from Ole Miss and LSUMC. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, doing Pilates, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Jennifer has been a CASA for a little over a year. She is currently on her first case with two children. She is doing BEAUTIFULLY! She is forming relationships with all involved parties even though it has been a chaotic year. She learned about CASA through her time working with Early Steps. She stated she always knew she wanted to volunteer but waited until her children graduated from high school. She loves being a voice for those who are too young to speak up for themselves. She says another perk to CASA is the new friendships that you form with other advocates and the staff. We do say that once you are a CASA you become family, and we truly mean that.
When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking of becoming a CASA she said, “Just go for it - there will never be a perfect season in your life to become a CASA. The time and energy you put into the program will be returned to you tenfold through the relationships you form with these children and their biological and foster families. Always have an open mind - just because some families live differently than the way you do doesn’t mean they are wrong.”

Let us introduce you to Terri Brown this month. She was born and raised here in Houma in a close-knit family. Her mother instilled in her and her siblings the importance of helping and serving others. She feels her childhood prepared her to remain grounded and focused through all of life’s adversities. To this day she speaks to her siblings daily and they remain committed to supporting one another; which is a rare trait in today’s society. Terri is a proud mother to a daughter, Dr. Tiffany Jones-Wilkins, a pharmacy supervisor in Houston and a son-in-love, Marques Wilkins, an account executive for a major insurance firm and an investment broker. She states she is patiently waiting for a grandbaby so that she can become the “Grand T”. We believe she will be one of the best!

Terri has an extensive and diverse professional past. She enlisted and served 6 years in the United States Air Force. She was stationed in California, Korea, and the United Kingdom. Being an active member of the military gave her the opportunity to travel and visit several countries. After leaving the military and returning to Houma, Terri graduated from New Orleans Regional Technical College in Practical Nursing. After passing all licensing tests she worked at Terrebonne General for over 18 years. She then worked at local assisted living homes and nursing homes. She retired from nursing and in 2006 she became a veteran’s counselor for the state of Louisiana. She served the veteran population in helping veterans and their families obtain the federal benefits that they rightfully deserved. She is currently working on her masters in Social Work. She will be graduating May 7, 2022! We are so proud of her!

When Terri visits the office, the staff truly enjoys her visit. We may not get much done because she loves to talk and entertain us. She is a devout Christian and an active member of her church. She serves as a senior usher and helps with the youth ushers. Her caring and loving heart shows through in anything and everything she does.

Terri has been with CASA for nearly a year and is still actively working on her first case. She has gone out of her way to ensure that her CASA child has everything that she needs, especially since Hurricane Ida. Terri was drawn to CASA by a flyer that she received and she wanted to make a difference in the life of a child. She states that helping a child is so rewarding.

Terri, we appreciate you and your loving, giving heart so much. Thank you for your service to our country and currently to your CASA child.

This month’s CASA, Amber Berry, has been with us for a year and is currently working on her second case with her CASA co-partner, Emily Gilmore. Amber grew up in Southwest Missouri and was a traveling nurse. She lived in several places before meeting her husband Dr. Chris Berry. They have resided in Houma for 16 years. Amber has three children; Neal Grace is 14, Caraway is 11 and Pierce is nine. The family has one dog, Iris that they rescued four years ago.
After 20 years of working in the medical field, Amber is taking a break as a nurse practitioner to be home with her children and be available for more volunteer activities. Her favorite thing to do is Bible study. She enjoys running, participating in triathlons, and teaching fitness classes at Twisted Fitness. She also spends time coaching her kids’ sports like volleyball and cross country. A fun fact about Amber is that she can wiggle her ears. An interesting fact about Amber is that she had a stroke at birth, was paralyzed on her right side until she completed physical therapy at three years old and then had seizures until the age of 17. Amber is now completely recovered without any further residual problems and says, “I feel so blessed and grateful for my health and recovery.”
Amber shared that she was fortunate to have a foster brother and foster sister growing up. Her parents became certified foster parents when she was in junior high and it left a huge impression on her. Amber and her husband are in the process of completing their foster care certification through DCFS Lafourche. Before becoming a CASA herself, Amber had serval friends who were advocates. Amber believes that “we are called as Christians to advocate and defend the most vulnerable.” With that belief, Amber also believes that with all of her heart, “God called me to do this.” Amber says that being a CASA is hard, but we can do hard things. She states, “These children have to do very hard things through no fault of their own, so dig in and get messy and stay focused on the goal of loving others.” Amber says she feels like she is really doing something meaningful as a CASA and again “feels blessed and grateful to have met these wonderful children.”

Our advocate we are introducing you to this month has been a CASA volunteer for about 6 months. Darlene Naquin swore in March of 2021. She was quickly assigned to a 9-year-old little girl and has worked hard to form relationships as this was an established case that she took over. Darlene was encouraged to join CASA by her daughter Ashley who is currently fostering. She is married to James Naquin and has 3 daughters, Alisha, Ashley, and Andrea along with 3 sons-in-law, Bradley, Brad, and Derek. She also has 11 grandchildren and 2 foster grandchildren- 6 girls and 7 boys. She says that grandkids genuinely make life grand! She and her husband also have a tiny poodle name Phoebe. She is 7 ½ years old and loves to travel in her very own car seat. Darlene retired from her job as a financial management/advisor after 16 years. She also spent 12 years in the medical field. She chose to take early retirement to care of her mother until she passed away. She is thankful for the time she was able to spend with her.

Darlene was born in Port Sulphur, La but soon moved to Waynesboro, MS where she lived until she was 11 ½. She then moved to Houma, where she still resides. In her free time, Darlene enjoys gardening, traveling and learning about new cultures including cuisine, music and art. She loves to try new things including recipes and teas. She can often be found in their pool along with her grandchildren, shopping with her daughters or granddaughters, reading or attending bible study. One of her favorites is spending time with her “grands”.

Darlene is very tied to family traditions. One of these traditions is collecting clocks, including coo coo, rhythm motion, and grandmother (shorter than grandfather). She remembers growing up with the chimes and coo coo birds and wishes to pass that on to her “grands”. She is also big on Christmas traditions. She believes in lots of decorations both inside and out. And what would Christmas be without a large family gathering? Darlene’s grandmother’s birthday was Christmas Eve, so it is always a bit more special to the family.

When talking about her CASA case, Darlene states that she chose CASA because of her soft heart towards children and her daughter’s encouragement. She says “When you first meet your child, it’s such a heartfelt experience! Just listening to them talk and smiling makes the training all worth it.” She was nervous about going through the training but realized that there are lots of people always willing to help guide her when needed. And it doesn’t hurt that CASA feeds our trainees well.

“Anyone can volunteer to become a CASA! I was oblivious on what to expect but my trainer was incredible and patient. There are so many children that need a CASA and it doesn’t take up much of your time. It is worth all the effort because the importance of being a CASA outweighs the fear.”

The CASA Volunteer we are introducing you to this month has been volunteering with us for seven years. Tim Hitt has served on four cases and has advocated for nine children. He is a Houma native and is currently the business manager at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. In his free time, Tim enjoys creating stained glass artwork, loves to cook, and likes to entertain friends and family when they are available. Tim likes to deliver his delicious delicacies right to their front door when his friends aren't available. When he tries new dishes, Tim’s neighbors are his taste testers and he will bring piping hot plates to the fence for them to try.
Tim is single but he is a super proud uncle. He prides himself on being the fun, goofy uncle to four nephews, one niece a great-niece, and a great-nephew. Tim said the hardest thing he has ever had to go through was losing a nephew and a niece. He said he always reminds himself of all the fun times they had together and all the stories of being together.
Not only is he the fun and goofy uncle, but Tim also enjoys being goofy with his friends. He enjoys telling stories and no one knows if he is being truthful or not. Although Tim doesn’t have pets of his own, he takes care of the neighbor’s dogs when they are gone. They are spoiled by Tim and will sit in front of him and wait for the treats that they know he will have for them.
Tim initially became a CASA because a close friend encouraged him to. Tim said “she forced him to”, but he admits there wasn’t too much resistance. Even though he was nervous about becoming a CASA volunteer, Tim expresses that he doesn’t regret the decision because there is such a need in the community.
To those who are considering becoming a CASA Tim recommends just do the training, you won’t regret it. You get to meet the children and they will melt your heart. They get to the point they look forward to seeing you on monthly visits. They want you to be a part of each aspect of their lives, from home life to extracurricular activities to showing you their new-found skill or talent. He states that CASA staff is always there when you need help. You can also collaborate with other volunteers so that you are never alone. You can partner up to get started then eventually venture out on your own. Tim was able to push past his fear and anxiety and claims it becomes easier as time passes.

This month, CASA of Terrebonne would like to introduce CASA volunteer Tammy Brouillette. Tammy has been a resident of Houma since she was 12 years old. She has been married to her husband, Stan, for 27 years and they have one son, David, who is 24 years old. Sadly, their family recently lost their four-legged son, Andy Brouilette, a 17-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. Some of the hobbies Tammy takes joy in are shopping, traveling, and attending sporting events with her husband. One thing that may surprise most people about Tammy, is that she likes watching a good boxing match.
In May 2020, Tammy retired from teaching after 33 years in the system. She loved teaching and particularly loved teaching science. Tammy was named a state finalist for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She states that she misses working with her students and the joy she got when they had their “AHA” moment. Tammy knew she wanted to get involved and volunteer when she retired but didn’t know with which organization. While at the gym, she heard newly sworn-in CASA volunteers, Amber Berry and Nicole Reiss, speaking about CASA and asked them about their roles. After attending an information session, Tammy believed CASA was a good fit because of her educational background and experience with students.
Through the years of teaching, Tammy has come to believe that a person’s story can be an explanation for their choices and behaviors, but it can never be an excuse. As a CASA, Tammy hopes to help her CASA kids know “that they have the power to write their own future regardless of their past.” Tammy was sworn in November 2020 and has been assigned to her first case. She advises incoming volunteers to be prepared for your momma/papa bear instincts to come to the surface. She states, “I have realized that I will fight for my CASA kid until the very end as I would for my own flesh and blood.” She states, “I have grown to love the young man I work with and have gone to bat for him many times, particularly with his educational needs.” Tammy continues, “There are so few times in life when we get to be a champion for others. Being a CASA volunteer gives you that opportunity.” Thank you, Tammy, for the hard work for your CASA child. We appreciate you!

Meet CASA advocate, Traci Hawthorne. Traci has been an advocate at CASA since 2014. She has advocated on 3 cases, with a total of 8 children. Traci has been married to her husband, Randy Hawthorne, for 7 ½ years. They do not have any children, but they do have a little dog, Molle’, who they absolutely adore!! Traci is a retired French teacher (11 years). Her hobbies include the French culture and language, as well as scrapbooking and reading. Traci was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan (how fun is that to say!). She moved here in 2007 for a teaching job and has been here ever since. Something almost no one knows about Traci, is that she had a job selling underground mining equipment.
Traci first heard about CASA from her friend Kristie Matherne Patrick, who is a former advocate. They met when Traci started attending her husband’s church. She states that “Knowing there are so many children out there that have not experienced unconditional love before, breaks my heart, and I could not turn away knowing that I could give unconditional love to at least a few of them. People often say that they wish things would change in the world. As a CASA volunteer, you can start that change with “changing the story” for one child at a time. Every child you advocate for will become a member of society. This is your chance to help that child grow into a productive and powerful member of society. What else is there to think about?”
When asked what she would like to share about her CASA experience Traci says, “I have never worked for or volunteered with another organization that recognizes the work of their volunteers as much as CASA does. The people that have come into my life because of CASA are relationships that I can’t imagine living without. You are never alone in your volunteer work at CASA. The staff and other CASA volunteers are always there to support you.”
At CASA we certainly do feel blessed to have Traci, not only as volunteer but as a friend. Thank you for all you continue to do for CASA and the community!

This month we would like to introduce you to Mrs. Kathleen Andrews. She has been a CASA since March 2020. She was one of the super troopers who swore in right before we all went into lockdown. She has been assigned to a six-year-old boy. Even though she has not been able to visit as often as she would like because of the pandemic, she has been able to form a bond with him.

Kathleen has been married to her husband, Howard Andrews, for 23 years. She has two sons from a previous marriage, Christopher and Kerry Quave. She also has four grandchildren; three grand-daughters aged 13, 10, and six, and one grandson age six. Kathleen was born and raised in New York state. She moved to Houma in 1976 at the age of 19. She was back and forth from New York to Houma during this time. She also spent time in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. She moved back to Houma permanently in 2007. She is currently working as a long-term substitute teacher at Bayou Blue Elementary.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and solving word searches. A fun fact about Kathleen is that she enjoys singing and sometimes she writes music.

Kathleen states that she chose to volunteer for CASA because she wanted to volunteer and help children. She says, at first she was very nervous but with the help of Sulma, her supervisor, she developed more confidence in her role. Her greatest hope is that children are in homes where they are loved and the parents put them first. Thank you for your dedication to the CASA program Mrs. Kathleen!

CASA of Terrebonne would like to introduce CASA Volunteer, Emily Gilmore. Born and raised in Houma, LA, Emily attended Nicholls State University, where she and her husband met. Emily's husband served in the U.S. Army for 28 years and is now retired. She has been married for 30 years and has two children. Emily's son was recently married, and her daughter is a senior at LSU as an Animal Science/pre-vet major. Her family loves animals and has several animals at home.
As an elementary educator for 30 years, Emily has taught children from many walks of life and has lost sleep over the safety, health, and family-life of prior students through the years. Her heart always went out to the struggling families and their children. She stated that she found out about CASA from Facebook. After some research, she concluded that CASA was a productive outlet to advocate for the children and families she wanted to help at school.
Emily has been a CASA Volunteer for two and half years and is still advocating on her first case. She states that her CASA experience has been rewarding. She's traveled hours to maintain communication and in-person visits with her CASA child. She spent the evening in the hospital watching "Mrs. Doubtfire" when her CASA child had no other visitor. She answered the phone when there was no one else to answer. Advocating for her CASA child has brought tears of joy, as well as tears of sadness. Emily states, "she wouldn't trade her CASA experience for anything."
In January, Emily partnered with fellow CASA Volunteer Amber Berry for her second CASA case. The Co-CASAs partnered to advocate for a family with four children. Emily was inspired to take on another case by a student who is in foster care that did not have a CASA. Emily became a CASA after her children were mostly grown and felt she had more time to advocate for a CASA child. She states, "Looking back, I could have become a CASA earlier in my life." Emily continues, "doing something to make a difference in a child's life is always better than doing nothing to help a child."
Thank you, Emily, for being dedicated to your CASA children and all children. We appreciate you!
A polo shirt will be donated to this month's casa volunteer by Shelly Toups at Artistic Embroidery.

Kimberly “Kim” Eubanks is a CASA volunteer who swore in on May 17, 2019. Since that time, she has advocated on two separate cases for two different children. Kim is an absolute joy to be around! She is always looking for new educational opportunities to further her role as a CASA volunteer. She has attended conferences in the past and raves about all the “golden” information that she is able to obtain. When it comes to her case work, she is thorough and precise, and she is willing to go above and beyond for her CASA children.

Kim was born in Johnson City, Tennessee but grew up in Myfield, Kentucky. She has been in Houma for about 38 years. Kim is married to Sloan Eubanks. They have been in a relationship for 16 years and married for 7 of those years. Kim has two adult children: Aaren who is 33 and Ian who is 31. She is also the owner of a beloved basset hound and 3 cats. Kim is a self-proclaimed animal lover who volunteers for the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter on Sundays to clean and play with the cats at Petsmart. In her spare time, she is an avid reader, loves music and loves traveling. Kim also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. When Kim is not busy volunteering or enjoying her past times, she also works fulltime as a clinical laboratory scientist at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan City. Even during this past year of uncertainty and being on the frontlines, she continued to make CASA a top priority. For that we honor and thank her!

Kim says that she became a CASA because she wanted to be proactive in helping the children of our community. She has known about CASA for many years and she felt that it was time for her to be “boots on the ground”.
She states: ” I never imagined how CASA would improve my own life. I treasure the education I have received, the camaraderie of all the outright heroes that play a part and I have come to the humbling understanding that one person can indeed make a difference in a child’s life.” Thank you Kim for being one of those heroes you speak about! You are an amazing asset to our CASA team. We are lucky to have you.
Kim will recieve a polo shirt donated by Shelly Toups at Artistic Embroidery.

Our volunteer we want to introduce you to this month is Ms. Penny Hebert. Penny has been a CASA volunteer for 5 years. She is currently on her sixth case and her 14th child!  Penny has two adult sons and 4 grandchildren (1 girl and three boys). She has worked for SLECA as a Human Resource Administrator for the past 29 years. They are very supportive of her CASA work and allow her to take care of any meetings or issues that come up with her CASA children. Outside of office hours and CASA time, Penny enjoys cycling (like miles and miles), kayaking, and being outdoors. Her love of being outdoors is to be expected as she was born and raised here in Houma.       
 
Penny came to CASA because she was looking for something to do in her spare time. She knew she wanted it to be child related as she loves being around children. She did some research and followed CASA for about 3 years. When her younger sister decided to go back to school to work with children, Penny encouraged her to join CASA, which she did. As soon as she finished, her sister talked her into signing up for the next class. Penny has done a phenomenal job on all of her cases. The best part is she now gets to advocate alongside her best friend, Carol Bergeron, on a sibling group with multiple children. 

Penny’s advice for volunteers is that sometimes you may think that you are not doing anything special for the children, but in the end you see the collective good that you are doing.
 
To anyone who is thinking about becoming a CASA, just do it! It is very heartwarming to know that you are giving these children a chance at life. 

we would like to introduce you to Alyssia Hay. She has been a CASA volunteer for approximately eight months.  She is still working her very first case and doing very well. She has been happily married to Steve Crispino for four years. She has two biological children, Carter Hay (25) and Carlie Hay (19). She also has two bonus children, Kevin Crispino (28) and Kyle Crispino (23). They also have a sweet little cavipoo named Teddy. Alyssia is a licensed medical massage therapist and has spent the majority of the last 22 years working at Donahue and Trahan Physical Therapy. Not only does Alyssia hold a massage license, she is also a certified yoga instructor and has a degree in Dietetics. When not working, Alyssia spends her down time with her family. She enjoys yoga, reading, hiking, riding bikes, fishing and kayaking. She likes to be outdoors and active. Alyssia is not a native to Houma. She was born in Morgan City but she and her family moved to Houma when she was 8 years old for a better job opportunity and has been here ever since. Something that many people do not know about Alyssia is that her family of origin hosted many foreign exchange students throughout her life. She traveled to Europe to visit these students in Denmark, Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
 
Alyssia first heard of CASA due to having an office in the same building as CASA. Upon researching the organization, she discovered that this would be a great organization to become involved with. However, as many people do, she put off submitting her application because of self-doubt. “Not enough time”; “Can’t handle it”; “Not the ‘right’ person”. She finally decided to go through with the process after the passing of her dear friend, Gabrielle Hernandez, who was a CASA volunteer. It was her way of honoring Gabby’s legacy.
 
When asked what advice she would give to people contemplating becoming a CASA she said: “Don’t let fear stop you. Will you become attached to these beautiful kids?  Yes, you will. That's the point. They need people who will be there for them, to always think of what is best for them, to love them. Don't let the fear stop you from being there for a child in need. You could be the one person, the one constant, the one reliable adult in that child's life that could be the reason they go on to become happy, healthy, successful, loving adults.”
 
Alyssia we are so grateful to have you. Thank you for all of your hard work. 

This month’s meet a CASA is a little bit different than our average volunteer. Carl “Buddy” McNabb has been a board member for over 10 years and President for 5 of those years. He has been an influential part of everything CASA is and stands for. However, when he would try to get others to volunteer he was met with “Why don’t you?” So, a year ago, he took that leap and became a volunteer. Buddy has advocated for a total of 3 children, 2 of whom have been reunified with their mother and the third who is on her way to adoption.
 
Buddy has been married for 26 years to Claire McNabb. He has 3 adult children, Jenni, Mike and Zack, and 2 grandchildren, Marli and Grier. Buddy is a retired oilfield salesman who now manages multiple rent houses which keep him busy. Claire is still employed and works full time in the shipbuilding industry.

Buddy enjoys a little fishing, a little golf and a lot of cooking. He states he has always enjoyed cooking, so making sure his hard-working wife doesn’t go hungry is a chore he enjoys. Before 2020 and COVID, Claire and Buddy would spend many weekends in New Orleans, walking the city, enjoying great restaurants and occasional cocktails. They both love live music and dancing.

Buddy was born and raised in Houma. He believes that Houma is that perfect in between city - not too big, and not too small. He says, “It was a great place to raise my children. The people here are friendly, kind, and helpful for the most part. We have everything we need here without the hassles of big city life, not to mention that we are surrounded by a wildlife paradise.”

When asked what advice he would give to someone thinking about joining CASA, he said, “So many of us say that we want to make things better. Some do by donating or supporting causes. This is of course important and noteworthy, but time is such a valuable commodity, volunteers are hard to come by. Four to five hours a month of your time can make such a huge difference in a child's life. Please join us in helping make the world a little better place. There is plenty of room in heaven for CASA's.”

Thank you, Buddy McNabb, for ALL you do for the mission, the organization and the staff! We appreciate you! 

The CASA Advocate we would like you to meet this month is Mrs. Rushelle Fitzgerald. Rushelle was sworn-in April of 2016. Since that time, she has advocated for 6 children in 4 cases. She has been married for 37 years to Allan Fitzgerald and they have 2 children and 4 grandchildren who are the light of their world. Rushelle is not currently working, however her background is in accounting. She currently spends her time loving and playing with her grandchildren and advocating for children in foster care. Rushelle was born in Galliano, Louisiana but has been a resident of Houma since she was 10 years old.
Rushelle first heard about CASA due to her niece and niece-in-law being CASA advocates and them recognizing the tremendous difference she could make if she only made the commitment. However, due to working full time she did not feel she would have the time to commit to volunteering. Several years later, when she decided to quit working, she wanted to give back to the community by volunteering with children. She began seeing CASA billboards around town and after multiple “glances” she decided that CASA would be the organization to join.
Rushelle almost didn’t make it through training though. Multiple times she wanted to give up. When court report writing came around her anxiety almost got the best of her. She could not fathom having to write a report that would be submitted as evidence in a court of law. She was on her way to the office to drop out when she noticed a billboard with a CASA child and her “big brown eyes staring at her” which caused her to change her mind. This made her even more determined to push through and finish what she started. Thankfully, Rushelle reports that she has no regrets in pushing herself to finish training and take a case.  She also says that CASA has opened her eyes to the reality of the cruel world that is right in our own backyards -- that parents are causing severe harm to their own children. But, if she is able to make the difference in the life of one child, it was all worth it.
When asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking of joining CASA, she said, “You are so desperately needed.  Your heart will be broken by the stories that you will hear about and even more so by the stories that you become a part of.  You have to be prepared to become an emotional wreck at times.  You will cry yourself to sleep at times.  You will sometimes cry your eyes out when you leave your visits.  You will wonder if you are actually making a difference.  Then the day will come when your CASA child gives you the hello hugs or the goodbye hugs that will make it all worthwhile. You will then realize that you are making a difference in their lives.  They melt into your heart the way that I thought only my children or grandchildren could.” 
Thank you so much for all of your hard work Mrs. Rushelle Fitzgerald! We appreciate all that you do! 

Meet Mary Guidry. Mary has been married to Leroy Guidry for 8 years. They have 4 children; Gracie 15 years old, Lily 21 years old, Emma 22 years old, and Alexis 27 years old. Even though Mary does not work outside of the home she does work extremely hard as a mom, a CASA and a volunteer for a number of other charitable organizations.  In her free time, she and her husband enjoy attending live music concerts. Her favorite artist, as well as concert, is Tom Petty who she was able to see at Red Rock Amphitheater in Denver Colorado. She said it was AWESOME!!!  Mary was not born in Houma, however, she has been living here since the 3rd grade.
Mary came to CASA initially as a board member. She has been a board member for four years and has been awarded Board Member of the Year twice. Yes, she is THAT GOOD! She also stepped into the role of Vice-President two years ago. She is instrumental in all of our events and her energy is contagious! She is enthusiastic, passionate and constantly striving to make CASA bigger and better! She has been a volunteer advocate for 2 years and still on her first case which is finally wrapping up. Since swearing in, she has advocated for a sibling group consisting of a boy (age 6) and a girl (age 2). Mary has spent numerous hours in visits, research and travel for the best interest of these children. When asked, she stated that: “the best feeling is to be loved unconditionally by someone who is not related to you. It is amazing to see the excitement when they see you coming down the driveway.” Mary feels that the best part of her case is seeing these two children adopted and knowing that they have a chance to live up to their full potential.
We are thrilled and blessed to have Mary Guidry on our team! She brings a unique element to CASA of Terrebonne. Thank you Mary for being who you are and doing what you do!