Meet Carin Ives, the February Advocate Spotlight for 2023. Carin was drawn to the mission of CASA from personal experience in the court system-different than what the children CASA experience- but similar enough to be a factor in her decision to become an advocate.
Carin began advocating at CASA of Luzerne County in October 2022. Carin went through a messy custody battle when her children were young. She recalls that her children had a voice and the judge listened to them. She knows that not all children have the advantage to be heard. When Carin heard about CASA she thought it was such a great idea to have a “voice” that advocates to the court system for children who need to be heard.
Carin was introduced to CASA by her daughter, Emalie, who has worked at Hillside Farms Summer Grief Camp where CASA has a week for the children served in the program. Her daughter met the CASA staff and told her about the program.
Carin felt the time was right for her to reach out to CASA when both of her children went back to school after the summer. She knew she wanted to fill some of her time giving back. Carin reached out to CASA and the more she learned, the more she knew it was the right opportunity.
Carin has seen growth in the youth she advocates for since being assigned her case. The youth was moved from a residential treatment facility to a group home and she was excited to begin to attend regular school again. She is also applying and interviewing for her first job, which is very exciting. The most positive thing that has come out of Carin’s advocacy is that the youth she advocates for made great strides in court regarding her gender identity. Carin cites this as a huge milestone for this youth and she feels it is proof that the court does listen to the children through the advocates. And it shows that the Luzerne County system recognizes and accepts diversity and respects the LGBTQ community. Carin feels it is important to note that the child’s GAL was also a wonderful advocate for the youth and she feels that strides would not have been made without teamwork.
Carin’s advice for potential advocates is that no matter what, don’t give up because you get discouraged. Some of the cases are not easy, it is a long road that seems endless, but fighting for what you and your youth believe in is worth every second. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the CASA staff questions. She believes that she asked about a million questions in her first week.
When Carin was asked about what she wished people knew about CASA she stated that she wished more people knew about the program and how many children have been helped. But also how many children still need to be helped and are waiting for their advocate to come along.
The most important thing to Carin about being an advocate is knowing that if she can help her youth through any situation, no matter how big or small, then she knows she’s done what she was sworn in to do.
Carin wanted to add that she is so thankful for the entire CASA staff for always being there to help her when she has questions. Patty, her Advocate Coordinator, has been phenomenal in helping her with questions, finding resources and giving her a pep talk when she got discouraged with her case.
We are grateful to Carin for her commitment to her advocacy and commitment to her community. If you’d like to make a difference in the life of a child in the way Carin has, we invite you to join us for an info session to learn more about advocacy and what it means to be a CASA. We have a new advocate training program beginning on March 7th and we would love for you to join our team!
Carin was born and raised in Nanticoke and still resides there. She has two lovely daughters, Emalie and Rebekah. Carin is completing her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice in May from Central State University in Ohio. She is employed by the PA Department of Corrections at SCI Dallas as a Records Specialist. She has been with the DOC for 15 years and loves her job.
