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.  

Advocate Spotlight: Brennan Morell

“I was sure I wanted to be in a position that positively impacts the lives of children.”  

Brennan Morell started with CASA in October 2019. Since that time, Brennan has moved from Advocate Coordinator to Program Director and has been diligently advocating for a teenage girl who has come to rely on Brennan as a safe and trusted adult in a world where adults weren’t often seen as such.  

“I look back at where my case was at this time last year and where it is now,” Brennan said. “We, mostly, have the best relationship and she has opened up to me so much. She really feels like she can talk to me about anything and come to me when she needs help.”  

Anyone who has experience with teenagers knows how difficult a victory like that can be. It’s also a testament to the importance of a Court Appointed Special Advocate for a child who has experienced abuse and neglect and all that comes with it.  

“She called me ‘cool’ at our last visit,” Brennan said proudly.  

Because of Brennan’s care and concern for this child and her family, their lives have been improving for the better. This young girl has been able to return home and remain at home with her mother and her siblings. She also has Brennan in her corner making sure that her educational needs are known to other people on the case.  

In her capacity as Program Director, Brennan is able to share that experience with her fellow advocates and support them in their own advocacy.  

If you’d like to know more about advocating alongside Brennan and the rest of CASA of Luzerne County, we’d love to have you join us at an online info session on Tuesday, December 8 at 1 p.m. Reach out to us at office@luzernecasa.org to sign up to talk with us via Zoom.  

Brennan holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bloomsburg University and lives in Berwick. She is the proud caretaker of “the cutest cats ever,” Tuna and Fiona.