Adoption Day for Grayson
For the Sillanpaa family, Sept. 23, was no ordinary day. It was adoption day for 6-year-old Grayson who made a grand arrival to the court house … in a dump truck! It was the truck enthusiast’s one wish for that day.
His mom, Airial Doubleday Sillanpaa says Grayson was not the first child they adopted, rather, he was the fourth from three families. As a long-time foster family, Airial said it’s kind of surprising, but they’ve had a CASA on the case for each of their foster children, and she says working with CASAs over the years has shown her the good in people.
“I consider them everyday angels,” Airial says. “They are just regular people, but they step in and they are able to advocate and speak for a child who is too young, or maybe just not ready or able.”
Airial says Grayson’s CASA Charlotte was a wonderful person to have in his life. Grayson called her Miss Charlotte, and Airial she would come to their house to see him, to play and to talk about his life. And even though he was little, Charlotte made it a point to make him feel comfortable about talking about things that were hard for him to think about. For instance, he mentioned he missed some of his toys at his house, and at that age, that’s hard, she says.
“(Having a CASA) really just gives them a platform,” Airial says.
And it provides an extra layer of support from someone really there to be neutral and objective, making sure the child’s needs are a priority, she says. In the case of one of her other children, Airial says the CASA was an invaluable support. She was a “squeaky wheel” who helped get Airial’s medically fragile child the support needed. “I don’t know that that would have happened without our CASA,” Airial says.
While COVID changed a lot of the ways in which people connected this year, Airial says Charlotte was great about checking in via email and on the phone and phoning into meetings.
One of her favorite moments, she says, was in the final months of Grayson’s case, they held a Zoom meeting with DCYF, CASA and Waypoint under the kitchen table because Grayson had made it into a fort. And in that moment, it wasn’t about her squeezing under a table while Grayson met with his team, it was about what worked for him at that time.
“Everybody just rolled with the punches.”
Because of COVID-19, adoption day also looked a little different. Where it previously would have been a large celebration with the Sillanpaa family, Grayson’s team of caseworkers, CASA and others, this adoption came just after courts re-opened on a limited basis and they could have just 10 people in the room. Her family made up 8, the judge was 9, Airial says. And number 10? Grayson invited Charlotte to join them for the special day.
Retirees Provide a Vital Voice for NH’s Abused and Neglected Children
After Seacoast New Hampshire resident Dean Plager retired, he enjoyed spending more time sailing, but he also felt a need to give back to society. He read an article about a local woman who was advocating for abused and neglected children as a volunteer with CASA of NH. “It hit home for me because I had been looking for something to do that really makes a difference. This was it,” Dean says.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire – or CASA of NH – recruits, trains and supervises volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in the New Hampshire court system. Volunteers spend time getting to know a victimized child and the important adults in that child’s life so they may make qualified, unbiased recommendations to a judge deciding a child’s future. Since CASA of NH was founded in 1989, its volunteers have helped more than 10,000 children grow up in safe, permanent homes.
More than 55 percent of CASA of NH’s 600 volunteers last year were over 60 and almost 50 percent were retired or working part-time. According to Marcia Sink, founder and President/CEO of CASA, women and men of retirement age play a key role in the organization’s goal to provide a CASA volunteer advocate to every abused or neglected child who needs one.
“We are expecting a surge in cases of abuse and neglect after the COVID pandemic passes and we need more volunteers now. Retired folks or people with flexible schedules are in a position to step up quickly, plus we find that our older volunteers have tremendous abilities that they still want to use during retirement. It is a good combination,” she says.
CASA volunteer advocate Darcy Horgan calls her work for CASA a “win/win,” commenting that “it engages my work ethic but has real meaning. At this stage of life, what a bonus it is to do valuable work that is fulfilling!”
Monadnock-area resident Patience Stoddard was a little bored in her second year of retirement. She attended a 40-hour training session to become a CASA volunteer advocate and found the training “exceptional.” She also discovered kindred spirits in her fellow classmates. “It makes you realize that there are a lot of good people out there. It keeps your faith in humanity,” she says.
As with other aspects of life, the COVID pandemic has altered CASA volunteer work. Training has moved online and advocates meet with children in safely distanced visits or, if the child is old enough, through virtual means. Some courts convene through telephone and web conferences while others offer socially distanced in-person meetings.
Steve and Betsy Coes were deep into training to become CASA volunteer advocates when the COVID pandemic hit. They completed their training online and received their first cases in Spring 2020. Steve says that he has been able to check on his one-year-old CASA child and do the work despite COVID. “Every time a new wrinkle arises, it is an education. Most of all, my CASA work is an education about what the world is like out there. You see how people get in situations and you start to understand motivations,” he says.
Want to learn more? Read our FAQs about volunteering or join us for a live, virtual information session:
2020 Community Partner Award: Steve Friedman
Community Partner Award
Our Community Partner Award highlights CASA’s valuable community partners for their support, engagement and resources that they have contributed to furthering the mission of the work we do. CASA recognizes that we have broad and deep support from the New Hampshire community but we seek to acknowledge those people and companies who have gone above and beyond.
2020 Honoree: Steve Friedman
In 2020, we applaud Steve Friedman and thank him for years of support of CASA. Steve, a senior account executive with independent radio station 92.5 The River, Steve has provided several years of support through sponsorship of CASA’s signature events — Snowfest and CASA Cares. He is a member of the Snowfest committee, he has assisted in recording radio spots promoting CASA and he has facilitated speaking opportunities for CASA to present about the need for advocates and encourage attendance at events. He has provided us with raffle prizes and giveaways for events, emceed Snowfest, connected us with live musicians to play at Apres Ski and is a constant and enthusiastic supporter of the work CASA is doing on behalf of New Hampshire’s children. Thank you, Steve!
2020 John McDermott Champion of Children Award: Sylvia Gale
John McDermott Champion of Children Award
John McDermott was a man whose life was committed to changing the future for New Hampshire’s youth. He spent his entire career in law enforcement and juvenile justice working diligently to improve the lives of children. John knew and believed the committed work of one or many could, and would, change the course of events and impact generations to come. John McDermott’s life was an
example of how relentless advocacy can move mountains and turn the thinking of a single child in need around. The John McDermott Champion of Children Award is an annual award that celebrates the work of one person whose tireless advocacy has influenced the lives of many.
John’s hand print will forever remain on the hearts of all of us here at CASA.
2020 Honoree: Sylvia Gale
The 2020 John McDermott Champion of Children Award is being given posthumously to Sylvia Gale, a long-time supporter of CASA, a former DCYF Supervisor and longtime New Hampshire legislator who passed away in July following a battle with cancer. The award is being accepted on her behalf by her daughter Liz Gale.
Past honorees:
2019 – Judge Willard “Bud” Martin
2018 – Governor Christopher Sununu
2017 – Gail Snow
2016 – Sue Meagher
2015 – Kristi Lamont
2014 – Ann Larney
2013 – Sandra Matheson
2020 Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award: Mike LaRoche
Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocate Award
In September of 2017, CASA of New Hampshire unexpectedly lost a dear friend and outstanding advocate – Linda Egbert of North Hampton. A dependable, compassionate and a true champion for the children she worked with, Linda touched the lives of 26 children over her 10 years as an advocate. Linda was also a longtime member of our CASA Cares and Spring Fashion Show committees. Her dynamic personality and passion for CASA is deeply missed. With the generous support from Linda’s husband and family, CASA is honored to announce the creation of the Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award. The recipient exemplifies the role of the CASA volunteer – someone who has gone above and beyond in their advocacy work and made a tremendous impact in the lives of children.
2020’s Honoree: Mike LaRoche
Mike is gifted at forming relationships. This is clear from the nomination and supporting recommendation that earned him this year’s Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award. He has an innate ability to form natural and trusting relationships with children, and his professional, calm demeanor lead to excellent relationships with other parties to the case. His knowledge of the child protection system and the supports available to children, foster families, biological families, and other placements for children is comprehensive and provides tremendous help for all involved.
One of his nominators said, “He has proven his ability to listen and take in the concerns that are presented to him, reflect on that information and respond in a manner that is diplomatic and fair. When engaged in tough conversations with families, he does so in a straightforward, calm and direct manner.”
He is described as patient, flexible, collaborative, dependable, confident, objective, attentive, observant, vigilant, watchful and conscientious.
In his 11 years as an advocate, Mike has represented youth, toddlers, and school age children. Family or adoptive families state Mike is available, nonjudgmental and has a skill to present the positive and negative aspects of the situation.
He is supportive of the child’s wants and needs, and has a gift for painting a picture of the child for the judge on the case.
“I felt Mike was part of my team he wanted my family to achieve all of the Court orders so we could reunify,” one youth he worked with said. “It was not always easy. Mike encouraged me and my parents to do what it takes to improve the way we were doing things. It was hard Mike was there encouraging us all to succeed.”
In addition to his role of advocate for the child, Mike is a tremendous advocate for the CASA program itself. We call on him regularly to share his experiences during informational events in-person when they could be, and now online. At a recent event he told the attendees when people ask him about the time commitment his response is, “If you can find time to play golf you can find time to be a CASA.” He also serves as a peer coordinator, helping to mentor other volunteer advocates. He has assisted in recording promotional videos and radio spots and is truly willing to help in just about any way we ask. We are incredibly lucky to have him as a CASA and hope he will continue in this role for many years to come.
Congratulations to the 12 other 2020 nominees: Diahnn Smith, Hank Ouimet, Isabelle Bryant, Jim Bays, Robyn Pollock, Alan Amero, Jeanmarie Fosie, Dave Kane, Mark Linehan, Gale Stanley, Marie Danielle Beaudry and Charlene Baxter
Thank you to our esteemed panel of judges: The Hon. John Emery, Clair Cushman, Lou Catano, Stephen Egbert and 2019 Honoree Jeremy Lory.
2020 Advocates and Peer Coordinators
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*indicates volunteer is a peer coordinator.
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Allison Aboody
Jennifer Adams
Susan Adler
Marion Alberico
Charlene Aldrich
Keri Allen
Suzy Allen
Anne Ambrogi*
Alan Amero*
Barbara Anderson
John Andrews
John W. Andrick, Jr.
Elaine Andrus
John Andruszkiewicz
Pamela Anson
Linda Armirotto
Debbie Ashby
Denise Askin
Dwight Aspinwall
Chris Athanasia
Tarry Attallah
Mary Atwell*
Lance Auger
Pamela Auger
Susan Aughey
Idina Auth*
Kathleen Avedisian
Nanette Avril
Ida Baddeley
Shawn Bailey
Jean Baker
Tom Barrett
Paul Barry
Ken Bartke
Ellen Bassett
Sarah Bauer
Charlene Baxter*
Jim Bays
Happy Beale
Karen Beals
Maria Beasley
Carola Beasley-Topliffe
Danny Beaudry*
Stephanie Beck
Judy Becker*
Cindy Beckley
Terri Behm
Karen Bentley
Jon Berenson
Bruce Berk
Kathleen Bernstein
Robin Berry
Janice Bettencourt
Megan Billingham
Deborah Billings
Ginny Bird
Peter Bixby
Uday Kiran Bolusani
Jim Bosman*
Jenn Bostwick
Sharon Botting
Lynn Boucher*
Diane Bourque
Kevin Brace
Doug Bramble
Louise Brassard
Pam Brazeau*
Beckie Bredow
Darcy Brewitt
Gigi Brienza*
Peter Brigham*
Joel Brown
Lisa F. Brown
Mary Brown
Raymond Brown
Susan C Brown*
Isabelle Bryan
Rosanne Buck
Sarah Buehne
Charlotte Buffington
Rod Burdette
Denise Burgess*
Julie Burnell
Ken Butenhof
Mike Butler
Angela Callahan
Nancy Callender
Kim Campbell*
Donna Caron*
Sally Carruth
David “Taffy” Case
Pat Castricone*
Meghan Cavanaugh
Yesim Celikkol
Anne Chace
George Chait
Jeanne Charest
Victoria Cheslock
Anne Marie Chesno
Melanie Chicoine
Kathy Christensen
Frances Cianci
Randy Cima
Debbie Clark
Nancy Clark
Pamela Clark*
Thomas Cleary
Marc Clement
Cotton Cleveland
Martin Cloran*
Betsy Coes
Steven Coes
Rebecca Collins
Adrienne Colsia
Kathy Conley
Ellen Constant
Emilie Coppinger
Mark Cossey
Sandra Cote
Susan Cronenwett
Heidi Zarsadias Crozer
Mary Ellen Cullity
Bertrand Cunningham
Carol Curtis
Jill Daley-Gibson
Annette K. Davies
Angela Davis
Deborah Davis
Julie Davis
Lisa Davis*
Mike Davis*
Alexandra De Torres
Heather DeAngelis
Lynette Dearborn
Jan Deleault
JoAnne Dempsey
Phil Denoncourt III*
Flip Denoncourt, Jr
Kaitlin Deyo
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Carl Dias*
Emily DiFranco
Rob DiGregorio*
Gail DiMaggio
Alexandra DiMario
Stephanie DiMarzio*
Laura Grasso Dobson*
Cydney Dodge
Rick Dodge
Beth Donnell-Coyle
Lindsey Donohue
Paula Dow
Dianne Dowd
Denise Dragon
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Mary Ann Drapcho
Katherine Drisko
Morgan Drouin
Jennifer DuChene
Patrick Duffy
Mary-ellen Dufresne
Johanne Dumont
Debbie Dunne
Juli-Anne Duval
Bonnie Eames
Gayle Edlund
Rich Egan
Toni Egger
Nancy Elcock
Martha Elkins
David Ellis
Iris Wexler Estabrook
Cynthia Evans
Deborah Evans
Emily Ewing
Joe Fahey II
Laurie Farr
Carol Faulkner
Kristin Faxon
Bethany Fennessey
Darlene Ference*
Sally Fiore
Jeanmarie Foisie
Brenda Foley
Sue Ford
Theresa Ford
David Fox
Jane Frawley
Jonathan Freeman
Deven Freihofer
Elaine French
Allison Frontz
Paul Gagnon
Paul Galasso
Dave Gallipeau
Tracy Hamilton Garbee
Thomas Garrity
Ralph Gault
Rick Gauthier
Janet Gentchos
Richard Gerken
Richard Gibadlo
Annie Giddings
Kenneth Gifford*
Nicole Gilbert
Dot Gillespie
Frances Ginestet
Phil Ginsburg
Linda Girard
Marigail Glasheen
Kathleen Gleason
Debra Goddard
Paula Goetschius
Michelle Goldman
Bobbie Goodrich
Joan Gootee
Jill Gormley
Frank Gould*
Tom Goulette
Erica Gowen
Kate Grahl
Karen Grassia
Charlotte Gray
Jennifer Green*
Kerry Elisabeth Greene*
Amanda Greenier
Jane Greenslit
Tracy Gregory
Jennifer Griffin
Jennifer Guerette
Susan Gustafson
Steven Gyory
Pam Hafner
Barbara Haglind
Leslie Haidaczuk
Lisa Hall
Peter Hallee
Kristin Halverson
Kerri Harrington
Mike Harris*
Bob Harvey
Cathryn Harvey
Cathy Harwood
Kurt Hastings
Danielle Haxton
Pamela Hay
Michelle Hayward
Lyn Healy
Nicholas Healy
Pat Heaney
Jack Henry
Bob Herold
Jeanne Hess
Judi Hess
Patty Hicks
Peter Higbee
Juanita Hill
Priscilla Hindley*
Nate Hine*
Louise Hirshberg*
Linda Hladik*
Sooze Hodgson
John Hoffman
Deborah Hogancamp
Donna Holmes
Tracey Holmes
Claire Holston
Marlene Honan
Dana Hooper
Susan Hoople
Jane Hoover*
-
Darcy Horgan
Fred Huber
Howard Hughes
Jack Hurley
Fred Hurwitz*
Diane Hutchinson
Barbara Hyer
Sandy Hyslop*
Mary Iltis
Muriel Ingalls
Robert Iwicki
El Jablonski
Kern Jackson
Brendon Jalbert*
Earle Jenkins
Denise Jobe
Karen S. Johnson
Kevin Johnson
Kathy Johnson*
Melissa Jordan
Marsha Journay
Brittney Joyce
Terry Jutton
Don Jutton, Sr.
Ellen Kambol
Stephanie Kamin
Dave Kane
Karla Karash
Amy Kaufman
Wendy Scott Keeney
Donnie Kelley
Mary Kenefick
Jackie Kensen
Kay Kenyon
Cathy L Kibbey
Pete King*
Serge Kingery
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Rita Kirk
Amy Kivimaki
Steve Klein
Michele Koenig
Michael Krizansky
Judith Kumin*
Annette Kurman
Andy Kurtz
Denise Kwasnik
Karen Laban
Larry Laflamme
Sue Lajoie
Wendy Lambert
Bob Landry*
Mike LaRoche*
Stephanie Lassonde
Donna Laurent
Alison Lawrence*
Karen Leavitt
Bob Lee
Brian Lepine
Janine Lesser
Deborah Levesque
Jean Liepold
Mark Linehan*
Rosemary Little
Cynthia Litvin
Jo Livingston
Lyn Lombard
Kelly Loosigian
Cindy Loranger
David Lorch
Jeremy Lory*
Lisa Louttit
Heidi Luba
Rachael Luke
Jackie Lutkevich
Barbara Lynch
Beth Lynch
Linda MacDonald
Katherine Machado
Susan MacKenzie
Carol MacKinnon
Judith MacLellan
Dianne Macon
Sandra Madden
Guli Maira
Mike Maki, DVM
Diane Manson
Karen Manzo
Linda Marciniszyn
Annette Marden*
Lisa Maronski
Nancy Martin
Dorothy Martin*
Amy Martineau
Linda Mattlage
Kay Jean May
Pam McCune
Anne McDonough
Kathy McHugh*
Danielle McKenzie
Clarena McKinney
Pamela McKinney*
Felicia McKone
Deborah McMorran
Cindy McNickle
Scott McPherson
Bonnie Medico
Elizabeth Melendy, MD
Anne Mellin
Don Menswar
Mary Miller
Natali Mills
Thomas Monahan
Shannon Monroe-Davis
Jennifer Montgomery
Clayton Morlock
Michele Morrill
Lisa Morris
Warren Morrison
Mary Lou Morrissette
Gena Cohen Moses
Carl Moskey
Allison Moskow
Jenn Motyl
Teresa Mullen
Shelley Mulligan
Paula Murphy
Daniel Murray
Kai Nalenz
Christine Nazaka
Allison Neal
Mary L Neuman
Beth Newkirk
Heather Newton
Janice Nielson
Carolyn Noah
Jane Norman
Gina Noto
Jordan Noyes
Peggy O’Brien
Brenda O’Brien*
Kathleen O’Connell
David Odland
Heidi Odum
Ruth O’Hara*
Shaun O’Keefe
Fred Okrent
Cheryl Oliszczak*
William Olsen
Tammy O’Neil
Becky Osgood
Alice O’Traynor
Hank Ouimet*
Heidi Page
Kenneth Page
Mary Pagucci
Cheryl Paquette
Kelly Parker
Deborah Parkin
Dick Patterson
Ann Pattison
Stephanie Paulsen
Jo Ann Pearson
Judy Pellettieri
Dick Pentheny
Kevin Perkins
Jim Peters
Cynthia Peterson
Robert Petrella
Susan Phillips
Lydia Phoenix
Janet Piazza
Kathleen Pierce
Kelly Pikus*
Viv Pilot
Kate Pilotte
Dorothy Piquado*
Dean Plager
Claude Plourde
Nicole Plourde
Richard D. Plourde
Vickie Plourde
Robyn Pollock
Lynn Powers
Linda Prescott
Rob Prohl
Leslie Prothro
Brendan Prusik
Joyce Puleo
Sharon Putney
Lori Ragas
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Lisa Rakaseder
Monica Ramey
Rob Ramrath*
Raz Rasweiler*
Kevin Reardon
Pat Reichard
David Reilly
Melanie Renfrew-Hebert
Danna Renfroe
Bridget Rines
Patricia Robinet
Jacine Robinson
James Roche
Vincent Roche
Lisa Roeder
Sharon Rohlfs*
John Romps
Lori Rotonnelli
Diana Rouleau*
George Rousseau*
Rachel Rowe
Maureen Rowley
John Rozek
Brian Ruhm
Heather Tallman Ruhm
Karen Saco
Olivier Sakellarios
Laura Salas
Kate Salvati
Scarlett Sanborn
Deborah Sargent
Shannon Savage
Timothy Sawyer
Pamela Schachter
Len Schmidtchen*
Lisa Schmitt
Charlene Sears
Mary Seeger
Patricia Serafin
Tina Sharby
Erin Sharp
Carolyn Shaw
Michael Shaw
Katie Shearin
Clara Sheehy
Scott Shepard
Paul Sherr
Cheryl Shirley
Ellen Shortlidge
Jody Skelton
David Sky*
Ralph Slavio
Diane Slyman
Carole Smith
Diahnn Smith
Elizabeth Smith
Thomas Smith
Gloria Snowman
Logan Snyder
Jane Sobolov
Tina Somero
William Speers
Susan Spinney
Jim Spotts
Joseph Stanislaw
Tony Stanizzi
Gale Stanley*
James Stapp
Adam Steel
George Stergion
Paula Stevens
Zoe Stewart
Patience Stoddard
Garrie Stoutimore*
Janice Stowell
Robin Stronk*
Joanne Stroshine
Karen Sullivan
Lisa Sullivan
Marilyn Sullivan
Michelle Sundman
Ken Susskind
Heather Sweeney
David Sydow
David Szczesiul
Robert Taylor
Howard Tewksbury*
Donna Theobald
Tommy Theodosopoulos
Elaine Thomas
Ruth Blais Thompson
Charles Bradford Thorp
Sharon Tieger
Clare Tino*
Charlotte Toia
Patricia Tollner*
Margaret Troy
Patricia Tucker
Elaine Van Dyke
Joni van Gelder
Tom Van Loon
Lisa Veilleux
Sara Veit
Rebecca Vitale
Amanda Vorster
Matt Vranich
John Wadlinger
Doug Waitt
Martin Waldron
Cynthia Walker
John Wallace
Amy Walton
Gary Wasserman
Diana Watson-Petrie
Catherine Watters
April Webber
Peter Webber
Lucy Weber*
Mimi Weinstein
Deborah Wenger
Jennifer Westover
Deborah Wheeler
Douglas Wheeler
Dave White
David White
Rene Whiteley
Kenneth Whitson
Stephen Wilder
Jessica Williams
Geoffrey “Jeff” Wilson
Robert Wilson
Rob Wimpory
Lynne Witter
Edward Wogan
Doris Wohlfort
Dorothy Wondolowski
Kathi Woodard*
Kathy Woodyard
Chris Work
Mikaela Yeager-Morgan
Frieda Yueh
Deb Zimmermann
Marisa Zlotocha
William Zolla
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CASA Celebrates its 5-Year Advocates
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This year, 32 CASA volunteer advocates celebrate 5 years providing a voice for New Hampshire’s children. As part of our upcoming annual celebration, we would like to recognize them for their compassion and dedication to our children who need a strong advocate for their futures.
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Susan Aughey
Charlene Baxter
Danny Beaudry
Pam Brazeau
Sally Carruth
Yesim Celikkol
Melanie Chicoine
Susan Cronenwett
JoAnne Dempsey
Phil Denoncourt, III
Rob DiGregorio
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Lindsey Donohue
Denise Dragon
Ken Gifford
Jill Gormley
Pam Hafner
Nick Healy
Diane Hutchinson
Earle Jenkins
Denise Jobe
Annette Marden
Linda Mattlage
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Anne McDonough
Jennifer Montgomery
Heather Newton
Tim Sawyer
David Sky
Susan Spinney
Robin Stronk
Patricia Tucker
David White
Steve Wilder
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2020 Judge of the Year: The Hon. Lucinda Sadler
Judge of the Year
In the 31 years since two New Hampshire judges took a chance on a program that promised advocacy for children by highly-trained volunteers, CASA of New Hampshire has advocated for more than 10,000 children. At the heart of every one of those cases has been a judge with a life-altering decision to make. CASA of New Hampshire would not be where it is today without the support of judges all around the state who believe in the work our volunteers do and who continue to support our mission. CASA of New Hampshire’s Judge of the Year award is given annually to a judge whose outstanding contributions exemplify CASA’s mission to protect the best interest of the child and whose support helps to promote the success of the CASA/GAL volunteer program.
2020 Honoree: The Hon. Lucinda Sadler
Several years ago, I checked in with an advocate who attended her first solo court hearing earlier in the day to inquire how it went. She told me Judge Sadler had given her “wings.” Emboldened by Judge Sadler’s welcoming demeanor and attentive listening, the advocate was able to speak to the best interest of her CASA child confidently and with a freedom she did not quite expect in the courtroom. She went on to say that because Judge Sadler granted her the space and time to articulately represent the child’s circumstances, she was given a great gift of respect and value that has stayed with her. She said her “wings” now empower her to speak with purpose and continued confidence. I too had experienced this very effect as a program manager standing in for another advocate. Judge Sadler was the first judge to make me truly believe that my (CASA’s) voice was heard and mattered. I recall that as I stood to address the court, Judge Sadler stopped what she was doing and looked me straight in the eye indicating she was ready to hear from CASA and was fully focused. Judge Sadler is the kind of judge who elicits admiration easily. She listens. Everyone in her courtroom has an opportunity to be fully heard, including the children. Judge Sadler is fair. She gives credit where credit is due and is also not shy in telling it like it is. I have come to appreciate what an exceptional judge she is through the respect she exhibits to all, but in particular to the volunteer citizens who function as CASA/GALs in her court room. We will miss her tremendously upon her retirement.
-Jonelle Gaffney, Program Director
