Advocate Spotlight: Amy Martin

“Once I attended the information session, I had no doubt this was the right fit for me,” said CASA volunteer Amy Martin.

Amy is approaching her third year as a volunteer advocate and, in that time, she has been a voice for three young children and an ambassador for CASA in the community, calling CASA her “passion.”

“The one thing I wish people knew about CASA is that, many times, as the CASA you will get more out of the experience than you expect,” Amy said. “You will get to know your child better than just about anyone in their life. You will enjoy and look forward to the time you get to spend with them.”

There will be some difficulties in dealing with children who are experiencing some of the hardest situations in their young lives, as well. But that’s why we’re here.

“The fact that you are there to help them through the tough times is really what it’s all about,” she said.

“The most important thing to be about being an advocate is for the child to truly understand that, as their CASA, I am there solely for them. I am not paid to do this, I do it because I want to, not because I have to. I want them to understand they can come to me for whatever reason, confide in me, and express to me their wishes as to where they’re safe and comfortable.”   

Amy also understands that advocating takes time, but it’s doable.

“You arrange visits according to what works for the child, yourself, and the child’s legal guardian,” Amy said. “If you are truly interested in advocating for a child in need, you will find a way to make it work.”

If you’d like to change the story of an abused or neglected child, visit luzernecasa.org/events to sign up for an info session prior to the start of our spring training class which starts on March 10.

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University. She and her husband Matthew have three children and reside in Mountain Top.

Advocate Spotlight: Maureen Harkins

For CASA volunteer Maureen Harkins, kindness and empathy are character traits instilled from an early age. Since July 2019, she has used those traits to advocate for a young man who has come to know that his advocate is someone who will be there for him through thick and thin.  

“My CASA youth has multiple intellectual and emotional issues with no family support,” Maureen said. “As a CASA volunteer, I have been able to offer some continuity despite his various placements. He seems to know that I listen to him and follow his progress and hopes. He knows I am vested in his success.”  

Growing up, Maureen’s family would open their homes to children from St. Michael’s School for Boys which opened Maureen’s eyes to the fact that there are children who are without support systems or places to go for the holidays.  

In college, Maureen volunteered her time to an after school program where many of the children experienced challenges similar to the ones our CASA kids often face.  

“Those young ones taught me a lot about resilience,” Maureen said.  

Maureen’s experiences and kind heart have proven to be exactly what her CASA child has needed in his life. She continues to be a constant source of support for a child who had none.  

“When I retired from finance in 2018, I knew I wanted to get back to working with children and draw on my training in education and psychology,” Maureen said. “CASA was the perfect fit at the perfect time.”  

Maureen also understands the importance of patience and dedication toward advocacy itself. 

“Although I haven’t had extensive experience working with support services in our area, I am climbing that learning curve,” she said. “I would remind others who are considering becoming an advocate to accept that you don’t have to be perfect to contribute something worthwhile. But you do have to be there, even when it’s complicated.”  

That mindset has allowed Maureen to continue to change this child’s story, which is what advocacy is all about.  

If you would like to join Maureen and CASA of Luzerne County in this mission, we would love to hear from you. We’ll be hosting an online info session on Monday, January 11 at 1 p.m. and we hope you’ll join us.  

Maureen is from Forty Fort and holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin.