May 2007 - Michelle Peavy
"A Mosaic is where you take something broken and turn it into something beautiful. We all have the potential to create mosaics with the children that we advocate for in helping them turn what appears to be broken into something that is positive in their lives. We are able to help them realize that they have this within them. To help children become this and advocate for their well being is something that can only be experienced to understand how it truly makes one feel. I love being a CASA and look forward to continuing my case work," relates Michelle!
Michelle Peavy was sworn in December, 2006 and has done a phenomenal job advocating for 2 children in relative care. Her case continues to evolve with Michelle at the helm of it all. Michelle was present at a time when very serious problems with the children’s initial placement were uncovered and in the absence of the Department of Family and Children Services, she was instrumental in making sure that the children were removed and placed in safe homes.
Simultaneously, she presented viable evidence as the court began to unravel disturbing and potentially devastating facts. Because of Michelle’s keen assessment techniques and appropriate actions, Judge Teske has written a proclamation in her honor. "Michelle, we are so proud to have you onboard as a CASA volunteer and applaud all of your efforts to ensure that these children suffer no further harm…you are, in every sense of the word,—an advocate,” states Regina Hobbs, her CASA Supervisor.
The Clayton County CASA staff salutes Michelle Peavy and all of our other volunteers for their hard work and dedication!
2008 Volunteer of the Year - Yolanda Campbell
On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected. Yolanda Campbell has been selected as our 2008 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA
Volunteer of the Year. HIGH EFFECTIVE STANDARDS
Yolanda Campbell has been a Clayton County CASA volunteer since August 2005. She vowed to become a CASA volunteer to help others in need in order to give something back to the community. She works diligently with her case assignments to gather, monitor, and report pertinent details to the court system. She also makes extra efforts to maintain contacts with the Department of Family and Children Services, CASA supervisor, teachers, foster parents, relatives, parents, and of course the child or children assigned to her care.
PERSONAL STRENGTHS AND SKILLS
Yolanda’s drive is centered on her passion to help others beyond the norm. As a single mom, Yolanda has worked tirelessly to raise three (3) children of her own and a niece. Yolanda always thinks of the children in her caseload. She works the grave yard shift at a local distribution center. After her shift, she often is tired, but makes a point to arrive on time for court hearings, panel reviews, and child visits. She is very reliable, dependable, and maintains focus on the child or children in care. She has a special tenacity for obtaining information that will assist the courts in deriving at the best decision for her case load by going the extra mile to research statutes, legal amendments, and other community resources.
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES, INSPIRATIONS, AND SUPPORT FOR CASA
Yolanda recently demonstrated strong dedication and support for the CASA program by locating and recovering a 16-year-old runaway child in her caseload assignment. When Yolanda was assigned to this case, she understood the intricate details and emotional state of this 16-year-old child. This 16-year-old child is a mother of two (2) with a history of running away from her placement facility. After two months of investigating this case, Yolanda’s investigative knowledge led her to find the child in metropolitan Atlanta. The strong efforts of maintaining consistent contacts with family, friends, and relatives enabled Yolanda several opportunities to provide her personal contact information to pass on to the child. Yolanda’s consistency and diligence paid off when the 16-year-child made contact with her immediate family. The family shared Yolanda’s contact information with the 16-year-old. The 16-year-old child remained on the run until she ended up at a local facility. In the middle of the night, Yolanda received a telephone call from a stranger who indicated that Yolanda’s telephone number was found on the 16-year-old. Yolanda jumped into action, made telephone calls to CASA supervisor, the Department of Family and Children Services, and police officials for assistance. Yolanda rushed to the facility to remain with the child until she was placed to prevent her from fleeing the scene. Yolanda waited with the 16-year-old, counseled, and encouraged her to stop running. After 10-hours, this ordeal came to a happy ending when the child was transported to a group home for placement. After finding this runaway child, Yolanda continued to work this case. She made monthly visits, telephone calls, and continued to communicate with family, friends, and relatives connected to the child. She also worked to find additional resources to benefit this 16-year-old mother of two. Yolanda’s heroism illustrates that persistence pays off - - one child at a time!
Yolanda will be honored on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. by the judges of Juvenile Court of Clayton County at their annual Judicial Commendation Awards Ceremony.
Stay tuned for more CASA spotlights coming soon!!