Advocate Spotlight: Laura Sarnak

Meet Laura Sarnak, the March Advocate Spotlight for 2023. Laura was drawn to CASA because she wanted to help children in need and she knew this was the perfect fit for her. Laura had done an internship at KidsPeace when she was in school and knew what an impact advocacy could make on a child.

Laura began advocating at CASA in March of 2017 and was assigned her first case in June of that year. She had learned about CASA from a commercial she saw on TV and decided she wanted to learn more about advocacy. After talking to the staff at CASA and understanding just how great the need is for volunteers to step up and be an advocate for these children she knew it was something she wanted to do.

The smile and the joy on the children’s faces when Laura visits them at the foster home is her most memorable experience of her advocacy. Laura states that getting to know the children has been the greatest blessing for her.

The children have achieved permanency in a safe and stable home that is full of love and support and where they will have the opportunity to become everything they are meant to be. Laura feels that being a part of brining this case to permanency is the most positive thing that happened to her children during her advocacy.

Laura advises potential advocates to go all in to choose to make a difference in a child’s life like no one else ever has. To be that one person who will speak for them in a way they are not able to, to be there when it gets hard, never leaving their side, to be the person who they can trust and support and always advocate for their very best interest in every way. Their lives are special, these kids are truly amazing and they deserve support.

Laura wishes that people understood the need for children in foster care to have a CASA advocate and to know and understand how amazing these kids are. She feels the most important part about being an advocate is being there for the children, understanding and respecting their wishes, always advocating in their best interest and staying by their side on the case until the end.

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

Laura lives in Exeter with her husband Tim, son Jake and daughter Tinsley. The family also has two dogs, Chance and Paisley and seven chickens! She is employed at Sarnak Roofing, Siding and Windows.

Advocate Spotlight: Carin Ives

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.