(above) Bob Bridgeman and Karen Lange of Westfield
Two From Westfield to Advocate for Local Foster Youth
Judge Isenhour administers oath to new CASAs
Submitted by Gretchen Boger-O’Bryan
Shortly before Covid-19 emerged, took hold and shelter-in-place orders were ordered, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Union County trained 18 volunteers to serve as child advocates for youth removed from home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. It is the only organization serving as extra eyes and ears for family law judges in an effort to protect best interests of youth in foster care.
While gathered inside a courtroom at Union County’s Family Courthouse, class members simultaneously raised their right hand as Judge Thomas K. Isenhour administered their oath before thanking them for committing to our community’s vulnerable youth and emphasizing the value of volunteerism.
Among the new advocates are Westfield residents Bob Bridgeman and Karen Lange. Bridgeman noted, “I’ve been involved in and supported a number of nonprofits, but CASA of Union County offered a unique opportunity to work at a level where I can truly touch lives. I’m excited!”
After a final step of court observation, advocates are assigned to foster youth by court order, which provides access to the youth, foster parents, doctors, caseworkers, therapists and teachers to determine outstanding needs or concerns. Advocates regularly report and make recommendations to the judge.
Volunteers with varied backgrounds make successful advocates and this class, ranging from their 20s to 70s, is no exception. Each brings diverse experiences, including having been a foster youth themselves, immigrants, nonparents and parents, retirees, homemakers, full- and part-time employees. Professional backgrounds include education, business owners, law and academia. Most had no prior knowledge of the foster system.
There are approximately 500 Union County youth from birth to age 21 in foster care, and more than 200 still need a CASA volunteer. Is that you? Contact Courtney at cgreen@casaofunioncounty.org to learn more.
(above, l-r) Joining Judge Thomas K. Isenhour, center, are Union County’s newest child advocates. They are, front row, Jade McEvoy of Elizabeth, Mollie Yang of Mountainside, Karen Lange of Westfield, Mike Loeloff of Summit, Fernando Porras of Cranford, Judge Isenhour, Teresa Pupo of Elizabeth, Martin and Susan Shulman of Cranford, and Angela Williams of Roselle; back row, Lisa Kalichman of South Orange, Christine Holloway of Scotch Plains, Towanna Garba of Roselle, Renee Finan of Clark, Christine Carroll of Warren, Suzanne Carreno-Powers of New Providence, Bob Bridgeman of Westfield, Meg Berry of Rahway and Janice Beckmen of Summit.
