Advocate Spotlight: Bill Leandri

“There are so many children who could use an advocate to help them.”

Bill Leandri made the decision to become an advocate after hearing CASA’s executive director speak to The Luzerne Foundation. It was in that moment, Bill said, that he knew he was ready to help positively impact the life of a child in our community.

One look at Bill’s advocacy and it’s easy to see that he’s succeeding.

“On a recent visit, he just latched on to me and wanted me to play with him,” Bill said, noting how the two had achieved that close and trusting relationship.

Bill says that it’s in the giving that he’s able to make that impact.

“Be ready to give of yourself,” he said. “Your time, energy, and compassion. You will get much happiness in this giving relationship.”

There are still children who are waiting, though, for someone to be that person for them.

“I feel good being able to help this child,” Bill said. “But I also know there are so many more children out there who could use our help. I hope we can bring new advocates to this program. I also have to add that the CASA staff was so incredibly helpful throughout training, answering questions, and overall support which has helped me in so many ways.”

There are currently more than 500 children in foster care in Luzerne County. Of those, 85% are without a CASA volunteer.

CASA’s fall training class starts on Monday, September 27. If you want to know more about what advocacy looks like and what would be expected of you as a volunteer, we invite you to attend our final info session of the season on September 8. Click here to register.

Bill holds an MBA in finance from Wilkes University and lives in Lehman with his wife Christine. They have four daughters and six grandchildren.

Advocate Spotlight: Deanna Drako

When Deanna Drako became a foster mom in Luzerne County, she saw firsthand the need for a volunteer advocate.

“I was a foster parent with Luzerne County for 2 years and was blessed to adopt my son from care in 2020,” Deanna said. “During that time I learned of the need for more advocacy for the children. I also worked with several local kids at my job who were in foster care, one student specifically who inspired me to start fostering.”

Deanna joined CASA as an advocate in February of this year.

“I am a fairly new advocate but it was really exciting to meet the child I advocate for for the first time and put a face to his name and realize that my work could have a tremendous impact on his life,” she said.

Despite being new to her case, Deanna set goals immediately and is working hard to make sure her CASA kid has what he needs to succeed.

“I am working to hopefully get my kid an iPad and speech software which will greatly benefit his communication skills,” she said.

Deanna also knows that, as a volunteer advocate, she is part of a larger network.

“There are more than 500 children in care in Luzerne County and not nearly enough foster homes, guardians ad litem, or advocates,” she said. “Not a lot of people know that sometimes it takes people from many differ aspects of the system to advocate for the best interest of the child.”

Deanna is committed to the best interest of the child on her case and is truly making a difference in his life.

If you’d like to join Deanna in this effort, we invite you to attend one of our info sessions by registering here.

Deanna received her MBA from Wilkes University and works as the Assistant Director of the SHINE After School Program of Luzerne County at Wilkes University. She lives in Wilkes Barre with her 2.5 year old son, Wesley.