For three years Anne Landry has been a volunteer for CHD’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program of Hampden County, which works with Springfield and Holyoke Juvenile Courts—through one-on-one advocacy—to improve stability, opportunities, and permanency outcomes for children with active Care and Protection cases.

Landry loves working with children: in her career, she was a speech and language pathologist, and then was a special education administrator in Connecticut prior to retiring. She is now a speech and language pathologist in CHD’s Early Intervention program, which gives kids extra help learning to walk, talk, or reach other milestones.

“What I find most rewarding about CASA is the chance to develop relationships—with children, educators, clinicians, foster families, attorneys, and the Department of Children and Families—that may help lead to better outcomes for children who have experienced monumental disruption in their lives,” she said.

CASA volunteers advocate for children who are in foster care and make recommendations to the court that protect the child’s mental and physical well-being. “I’ve known a number of foster children and their families in my career as an educator, and I have always been struck at how challenging their lives are at a time when kids are in need of love and security,” said Landry. “They are living in a state of limbo and insecurity.”

Landry said that CASA volunteers come from different backgrounds—not simply those familiar with the legal system—and the training she received prepared her well for the experience. She has a message for those who are afraid that the prospect of volunteering would be daunting: “There is so much support within the structure of CASA that you will never feel alone or without guidance,” she said. “They’re with you every step of the way. I’m so glad that I made the choice to do it.”

She values the special relationships she has built with children—based on trust and dependability—a bond that is often lacking in their lives, especially with one girl she had advocated for. “There had been so many changes in her life that she had very few opportunities to connect with one individual,” said Landry. “I was happy to see that her connection with me helped her feel valued.”

CASA is seeking new volunteers to serve as advocates for children in need in the community. There will be virtual information sessions via Zoom on August 21, September 4, and September 11. More info.