CASA Volunteer Nancy Tucker

Nancy Tucker has been helping children succeed around the country for decades. Her educational work includes helping found the Head Start program in Kansas City and helping found a similar early education program here in Kentucky. 

Today, Tucker continues to help children by serving as a CASA volunteer. The veteran volunteer has been advocating for the needs of local children in the family court system for six years this month, making her one of the longest-serving volunteers with CASA of Lexington. 

This month, she has also been named a CASA Volunteer of the Month, thanks to a nomination from her Volunteer Manager Dennis Stutsman. 

“Nancy has worked effectively with 8 families since being sworn into service in October 2016,” Stutsman said. “On her current case, which she has been working for several years, Nancy has been a tremendous source of support and resource referral for the foster mother, often helping get the attention of the social worker or the court when a child needed treatment but was waitlisted by providers.” 

Tucker said she has found serving as a CASA volunteer to be extremely rewarding. 

“It has more than met my expectations,” she said. 

As a CASA Volunteer, Tucker is assigned to cases of children who have been abused or neglected. She visits the children every month, speaks with adults involved in the children’s lives, reviews educational and medical records, and advocates for the children’s best interests in family court. 

Tucker said CASA works with many of children and families who get judged by others all the time, even though they are often doing the best they can with what they have. 

“You have to be non-judgmental. You never know what people have gone through,” she said. “You're not there to feel bad for these kids. You're there to show them that someone cares about them." 

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, see schedules of upcoming trainings or apply to become a CASA volunteer, click here.

CASA Volunteer Kim Lyon

Kim Lyon was introduced to CASA through the CASA Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to children in the family court system during the holidays each December.

“For several years, we selected a CASA Angel and got to provide Christmas gifts for that child,” she said. “When I retired, however, I felt the pull to serve these children more personally and routinely. So, I became a CASA volunteer.”

Lyon has now served as a CASA volunteer for 18 months, advocating for nine abused or neglected children during that time. Her work has earned her the title of CASA Volunteer of the Month in September.

“Kim has worked a variety of cases in her time as a CASA volunteer,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “She is always willing to undertake a challenge, regardless of how intimidating or complicated the facts may be.”

Lyon said it’s sad to understand just how many children in the local community are victims of abuse or neglect. “But it has been both humbling and rewarding to see how CASA volunteers can help change the trajectory of a child’s life.”

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton picks an ornament from the Fayette County CASA Angel Tree in November 2021.

Lyon said if anyone is considering becoming a CASA volunteer, “first – there are children out there who need you. Second – don’t worry about whether you’re qualified. CASA’s training and ongoing support is excellent. Third – talk to a volunteer who will answer any questions you have.”

CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour training class before being assigned to the case of an abused or neglected child. They spend about 5-10 hours a month volunteering by visiting the child, talking to adults involved in the child’s life and writing court reports for the judge on the case.

Jamison said Lyon’s reports for the judge always provide a “clear picture of the abilities of each child, filling in gaps that may have previously impacted the court’s ability to make fully informed decisions.”

“CASA volunteers like Kim also provide the perspective of a regular person that may often be missing,” Jamison said. “We have CASA volunteers from all walks of life and careers. In fact, a majority of our volunteers work full-time.”

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can visit www.casaoflexington.org, email info@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313 for more information. CASA Angel Tree ceremonies are held annually by CASA of Lexington in Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott and Woodford counties in November. Watch www.casaoflexington.org for more information about locations and dates later this fall.

CASA Volunteer Amy Shaw

Eleven years ago, Amy Shaw read about a local businesswoman who was also serving as a CASA volunteer. The work intrigued her, so she looked into it and soon signed up to become a CASA volunteer herself.

Shaw has served as a CASA volunteer in Lexington ever since, and has now advocated for more than 10 abused or neglected children. She is also one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month for September.

“Through many challenges, setbacks and surprises on her current case, Amy has been steadfast in communicating with everyone, consistently visiting the children and making sure their best interests are a priority,” said Jenifer Bahr, Shaw’s Volunteer Manager. “Amy builds wonderful relationships with community partners and makes sure they have the information they need to provide the best services for the children she serves.”

As a CASA volunteer, Shaw is matched with abused or neglected children in the local family court system. She visits the children monthly, helps improve communication and advocates for what the children need.

“Being a volunteer means focusing on what is best for the child — that has to be top-of-mind, always,” Shaw said. “You may be the most consistent person in their life, so commitment is a must.”

CASA volunteers give about 5-10 hours a month on average, and serve for at least 2 years, in order to see cases through to closure. Kids who get a CASA volunteer do better in school, get more services they need and are returned to safe, permanent homes faster. They are also far less likely to re-enter the foster system after their cases close.

Shaw said more than a decade as a CASA volunteer has shown her how helping children often means helping the children’s families.

“Being a volunteer has reinforced for me that children are not little adults,” she said. “Hurt children become hurt adults, and sometimes parents need just as much support as the children.”

More information about becoming a CASA volunteer is available at www.casaoflexington.org, by emailing info@casaoflexington.org or by calling (859) 246-4313.