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.”