Meet Kathy Krivenko, the July Advocate Spotlight for 2022. Kathy came to CASA with a wealth of experience and a commitment to family that has driven her advocacy.
Kathy began advocating at CASA of Luzerne County in 2017, following a long and dedicated nursing career.
She received her diploma in Nursing from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, she continued her education by attaining a CCRN (critical care certification) and then followed up with a BSN from Excelsior college in NY.
Kathy had worked at Wilkes Barre General hospital in the Medical ICU after graduating, and then moved to Philadelphia area and worked at Shriners Crippled Children’s hospital. She moved back to the area and worked at both Nesbit and General Hospital. She left hospital nursing for a program through the hospital called the Family Enhancement Program where she visited new mothers to help them through their pregnancy and understand infant development. In 2000, Kathy joined the newly initiated Pennsylvania Nurse Family Partnership Program. The program was considered a Blueprints program for prevention of child abuse and neglect as well as preventing juvenile delinquency in the children of the mothers served. Kathy empowered the mothers in the program to make good choices rather than telling them what to do. Luzerne County was one of the first 3 sites in Pa which presently has programs in 47 counties and 45 states as well as several other countries. In addition, Kathy was a member of the Kingston Kiwanis and ran the K-Kids program at 3rd avenue school for several years. she was also the team “nurse” for her daughters softball team and a brownie and Girl Scout leader. If that isn’t enough, she also became a dog groomer and bred and showed Kerry Blue Terriers and had 12 champions over the years!
Kathy learned of the CASA program when she heard Gay Courtier, a guardian ad litem from Florida speak and then read her book and she was intrigued. She saw a sign for CASA at the Cross Valley Center where her husbands business was located and inquired and became a volunteer.
When Kathy reflects on the beginning of her advocacy she found it hard to come into a family that was somewhat “broken” as the children were already removed and in foster care, but helping the families find their way to a healthier situation is rewarding. There are far too many children who need a CASA on their side! CASA needs more volunteers!
Her most memorable moments were finally seeing a child who weighed 20 lbs at admission to 58 lbs 2 years later and finally in a stable situation. Both he and his sister appear happy as they talk about what they’re doing and what they like and go up to their father and receive affection.
Kathy believes that advocates need to have an open mind and look for the positives in the situation and help the family build on that.
She wishes more of the public was aware of what CASA provides to children and how in the end this helps society as a whole, one child, one family at a time.
In the end, healthier families mean a healthier society. Too many families had no positive family support. This is shown but the increase in shootings and mental health issues.
We are grateful to Kathy for her commitment to her advocacy and commitment to her community and family. If you’d like to make a difference in the life of a child in the way Kathy has, we invite you to join us for an info session to learn more about advocacy and what it means to be a CASA.
Kathy lives in Kingston with her husband Phil. She has 2 children and 5 grandchildren who she loves spending time with and attending their games and activities.
