Advocate Spotlight: Leslie Hunsinger

Meet Leslie Hunsinger, the January Advocate Spotlight for 2023. Leslie was looking for a unique volunteer experience to help children and she found CASA.

Leslie began advocating at CASA of Luzerne County in October 2022. Her heart was guiding her toward doing some type of work with adopted children or children in the foster care system because she had been impacted deeply by news stories of abused and neglected children. She came to CASA without any other experience working with children and feels she is “very green”.

Leslie reached out and attended an information session with CASA. The more she was contacted and the more she learned the more she could not say no. Leslie stated, “ The staff was very knowledgeable and available to me for conversations which was encouraging. They had a very open and inviting model for recruitment and they are just cool people.” The need is very great for CASA.

Leslie’s most memorable experience as a CASA so far is hearing her CASA kid talk about himself and his growth, how he feels he has grown and changed. This is very heartwarming to Leslie. He has described how he looks now versus how he looked “back then” and he believes he looks like a new person. Leslie cannot say enough good things about him, describing him as a wonderful, smart, loving, funny and gifted young man who has amazing things in his future.

Due to Leslie’s advocacy her youth experienced great change in the trajectory of his case. He had been in a residential treatment facility for 9 months and had not been granted any home passes to see his family. Leslie fought hard for him to go home on home passes. These home pass opportunities showed CYS that he had made great progress. He now has a “light at the end of the tunnel” and hopes to be returning home soon. This would not have happened without Leslie’s advocacy. (update: he was returned home during a court hearing on 1/25/23) Great job Leslie!

Leslie’s advice for potential advocates is that advocacy is an emotional burden, but a burden of love. She fights for what her CASA kid wants and needs as any parent would. She advises all future advocates to fight for what these kids need.

Leslie wishes that people knew that anyone can become an advocate. As long as you have a big heart and a lot of love. These kids just need someone to believe in them, to fight for them and show them love. Leslie’s quote is, “DO IT, BE A CASA!!”

The most important thing to Leslie about being an advocate is knowing she is making a difference in the life of her CASA kid. She is excited to see him growing into an adult and making positive changes as he joins society as a grown up.

We are grateful to Leslie 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 Leslie has, we invite you to join us for an info session to learn more about advocacy and what it means to be a CASA.

Leslie lives in Nanticoke after growing up a “military brat” having lived in many places including Japan and Ethiopia. She is happily married to her nerdy husband Mark for 8 yrs and they have two goofy (and adorable) boys, Alex (4) and Lincoln(1). Leslie has a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications from King’s College (Go Monarchs!) She is a Senior Content Coordinator at LeftField Media. In short, she makes comic cons happen. (How cool is that!)

Advocate Spotlight: Ariane Pupali

Meet Ariane Pupali, the October Advocate Spotlight for 2022. Ariane is one of those special people who recognizes a need in her community and asks how can she help. She was aware that some of our most vulnerable population, our at-risk youth, needed a voice and she decided to contact CASA after seeing a television commercial regarding advocacy.

Ariane began advocating at CASA of Luzerne County in 2020. Although she has a full time career and two children of her own she knew it was important for her to give something back through advocacy.

She realized she had the skill set, compassion and interest to make a small difference but most of all she had the desire to serve.

Ariane is reflective of the most eye opening part of her advocacy, which is reviewing a child’s case file. It is so impactful to absorb what they have been through and the magnitude of trauma and adversity they have faced. She feels as though the most positive outcome for the children she has advocated for is helping build their resilience and advocating for their safety and best interest.

When asked what advice she would give to potential advocates, Ariane stresses to, “Just do it!”. She was quick to follow up with how the reward far outweighs the commitments and sacrifice.

Ariane would like to express how valuable the training is that CASA advocates receive and how prepared it makes you feel. She would also like to note that you receive so much support from the advocate coordinators that you are never alone on your journey.

She believes the most important part of being an advocate is showing up for children who are accustomed to being abused and neglected and reminding them of their value and restoring their trust.

Ariane is humbled and full of gratitude to be a part of such a beautiful organization.

We are grateful to Ariane 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 Ariane has, we invite you to join us for an info session to learn more about advocacy and what it means to be a CASA.

Ariane lives in West Pittston with her children, Nora(6) and Noah(14) and her Yorkie named Chewy. She has a BBA in Architectural Design and is employed by InPro Corporation.