“There are still families who need our help and support, and volunteering is as helpful to me as it is to them.” Natalie Thorgren has been a CASA volunteer for one year and is an elementary school teacher. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and...
“I enjoy getting to know the kids and making sure that their needs and wants are being represented.” Don Evans has been a CASA volunteer since September of 2019 and has been in the banking and insurance industry for 27 years. For the last ten years, he’s been a Collections Manager for a local bank. ...
“I want to be a CASA to make a positive difference, even a little one, in a child’s life. It is the best feeling knowing that I have a chance to do that.” Debbie Gorski completed her CASA Volunteer Training in the fall of 2019. Debbie expressed, “I’m the proud mother of two daughters...
“I remain a CASA volunteer because I know I can make a difference.” Michelle VanDrunen began volunteering with CASA in April of 2017. She is a Bus Driver for Boone Grove School and she enjoys attending storage auctions where she buys and sells. Regarding what drew her to CASA volunteering, Michelle expressed, “I decided to become...
“It was time to give back.” John McQuillan has been a CASA volunteer for almost four years. He retired in 2006 from a litigation law firm. Following his retirement, John took twenty semesters of college courses mostly as an auditing student; he studied biology, American literature, math, art history, and many branches of theology –...
"One of my personal guiding principles focuses on the importance of serving others and the belief that every person benefits from ‘having a person in their corner’." Deb Nelson became involved with Porter County CASA in the fall of 2019 and was assigned to her first case in late December, 2019. She retired in July, 2019 from 30 plus...
“Just making a small connection, letting [the children] know someone out there cares what happens to them, can make a difference in their lives during confusing times.” Kelly Hunt completed her CASA volunteer training last fall and began her case right after. Kelly is a stay-at-home mom and her youngest started kindergarten last year. She and her husband moved with their daughters from Chicago four years...
“I remain a volunteer because I believe that an extra pair of eyes is good for kids in difficult circumstances.” Kris Livovich has been a CASA volunteer since December of 2019 and runs a wedding and event florist service. Kris decided to volunteer for CASA because she enjoys children and wants to have a small part...
“Being a CASA gives me a sense of purpose in my retirement.” Ken Kehe finished CASA training last December and received his first assignment shortly after that. On a personal note, he’s been married 43 years and has three grown children and one grandchild. He taught high school science, mostly Biology and Chemistry, for 42...
“In this moment, our kids need their CASAs more than ever.” Dawn Jeglum Bartusch has been a CASA volunteer since February of 2019. She is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Valparaiso University. One of her favorite places to be is on the beach at Eagle Harbor in Ephraim, Wisconsin in Door...
