Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Laura Warne

Name: Laura Warne
Title: Communications Coordinator
CASA Employee Since: April 2018

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I was working as a freelance graphic designer specializing in non-profit organizations and small businesses. Before that I was an exhibition planner in New York.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Spread the word about CASA!

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

I usually start with email and CASA’s different social media feeds. Then I get to work on whichever projects are the most pressing. I’m always working on volunteer recruitment efforts, but if we have an event coming up like Gala or Tricky Tray I might be working on the print and digital needs for that. Most days include updating our website and social media channels, planning email communications, and looking ahead to what is coming up and thinking about how to best get the word out about CASA.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

I love getting to be creative for a good cause. And I have great co-workers.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

I’m CASA’s in-house truck driver. A realtor in my town sometimes lends us their truck when we need to pick up furniture, move really big stuff, or when we moved offices. I guess I’m relatively comfortable driving it. I rented many a Uhaul when I had to move apartments in New York, so driving a big truck on suburban streets doesn’t scare me.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian. I am a huge animal lover.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Oreos. I can’t be trusted around them.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I sometimes have crazy, quirky ideas that I think are brilliant but turn out to be harder than I thought to execute. Like I volunteered to be the mascot at my University’s football games because I thought it sounded like the best idea ever. Then I realized that wearing a full body furry black dog suit you can’t see out of isn’t as much fun as I thought it would be. Turns out it is very very hot, and kind of scary when you have to run around in the bleachers without being able to see.

Me and Ginnifer… twinsies?

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

A couple people have told me I resemble Ginnifer Goodwin from Big Love. I wish!

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

My cell phone, sunscreen, and a hammock to hang out in until help arrives.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Jill Rebeor

Name: Jill Rebeor
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: May 2018

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I was a Child Protection Specialist with the Administration for Children’s Services in New York, which entailed receiving reports of alleged abuse and neglect and investigating them by visiting a child’s home and school.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

A Little Bit of Everything.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Talking with my volunteers, writing and editing court reports, going to court, and reading Optima contact logs.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Every day is different. This job also provides greater control over my schedule compared to previous jobs I’ve had.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

I was 22 and just out of college, working as a Caseworker in Georgia. I had to take a child to a new foster home and she did not want to go, so she tried to run away and ran towards the street. I kicked off my heels and chased her barefoot through the mud .

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I went through a brief phase where I wanted to be an astronaut.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Cheese and crackers, plus some white wine.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

My sarcasm and lack of filter.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Katy Perry!

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

My cell phone, some friends, and a fully chartered yacht.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Davetta Ford

Name: Davetta Ford
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: January 2018

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I was working two jobs, one as a waitress at the Grand Lux Cafe in Paramus and the other as a Customer Service Representative at Bed Bath & Beyond. Skills from both of those jobs were definitely transferrable to my job at CASA because both required effective communication and people skills.

2)       Describe your job in five words.

Fun, Inspiring, Challenging, Heartbreaking (at times) and Steady.

3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Depending on whether I’m in court, my day can look very different. But in general it includes responding to emails, talking to volunteers, writing and editing court reports, making phone calls, and counseling colleagues.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

I love working with teenagers, especially teens in the process of aging out of the foster care system. I love helping them find resources and scholarships like those that I was able to take advantage of, as well as those that I wish I’d known about! Particularly teens facing that critical transition from high school to whatever comes next. Basically doing for others what I wish I had been done for me when I was in that position.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

I was with one teenager at her court hearing, and she was feeling self-conscious about her hair. It had been pretty neglected, so I went with her into the bathroom and re-braided it for her. Her confidence and demeanor instantly changed.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher because I had a wonderful second grade teacher. She was really there for me during my mom’s addiction. She fed me, and would knock on my window in the morning to make sure I woke up in time for school. She was awesome and I loved her.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Baked macaroni and cheese, the kind I make myself.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I can be overly friendly, which can sometimes backfire.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

My coworker Sarah’s daughter said I remind her of Beyoncé.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

A mirror, my makeup, and a picture of my daughter.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Ed Marable

Name: Ed Marable
Title: Case Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: March 2018

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?
I was the Dean of Students at Seton Hall Law School.

2)       Describe your job in five words.
You’ve Got To Be Kidding! (In this job, you’re often confronted by-- or asked to do-- the impossible)

3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?
Completing admin tasks, editing court reports, responding to volunteer questions, visiting kids, and going to court.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?
Learning new things and gaining new skills. The reality of this job is very different than I thought it would be. There are lots of opportunities to grow and learn new things.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care
Since I’ve been at CASA, I consider working carnival games at the Passaic County Fair to be the most unusual thing I’ve done in the name of helping children in foster care.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I really didn’t know. My father was a general contractor, and I knew I didn’t want to have a job like his that required manual labor. My mother didn’t work, and my sister was an artist, so I didn’t have many professional role models early on.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?
Pizza, ideally pepperoni and from Famous Ray’s in Verona.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
My sense of humor.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?
Denzel Washington.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?
A public library, a computer with Wi-Fi, and a gym.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Pam Saunders

Name: Pam Saunders
Title: Office And Financial Coordinator
CASA Employee Since: October 2016

1) What did you do before you worked at CASA?
I was a Paralegal and Office Manager for an environmental law firm in Parsippany.

2) Describe your job in five words.
Jack of all trades (plus!)

3) Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?
I come in, I feed my fish, I count the money, I pay the bills, I work on events. I work on grants and maintain budgets. I make sure kids have what they need and that the office runs smoothly. I take out the trash. I do it all.

 4) What is the best part about working for CASA?
The staff.

5) What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?
I once protected the office from an aggressive and unhappy goose.

6) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A florist. It is a happy, crafty job.

7) What is your go-to comfort food?
Cheese. All kinds.

8) What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
My sarcasm.

9) What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?
Roseanne.

10) If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?
A solar powered air conditioner, a lifetime supply of unsweetened iced tea, and an alpaca. The alpaca is for company, warmth, transportation, and food if things got dire enough.