Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Jessica Mickley

Name: Jessica Mickley
Title: Director of Outreach and Training
CASA Employee Since: August 2017

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

I worked in newspapers as a writer and editor for a number of years before becoming an advocate at a domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Schmoozing and training plus writing.

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

Typical day at CASA. That’s a funny joke! Every day is so different. But really, that’s one of the things I like most about working at CASA. Pre-pandemic, many days could include attending a community event, facilitating a training class, or presenting on a topic like trauma or mandatory reporting. I also spend a good amount of time creating and editing content for our social media, newsletters, website, and blogs, as well as writing press releases.

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

Working alongside a group of people who want to effect change as much as I do.

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

Besides my annual gig as a carnival worker at the Passaic County Fair… Probably when I drove to the Bronx to record a PSA about Passaic County CASA at Fordham’s radio station, WFUV.

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

A journalist!

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

A big bowl of soup, preferably matzo ball or pho.

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

Probably my propensity to occasionally speak before I think.

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

Amy Poehler

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

A growler of cold brew coffee, the longest book ever written, and sunscreen.

Ask the U.S. Senate to Support the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fix Act of 2020 to Support CASA

Why I Volunteer: Lisa Ingersoll

By Lisa Ingersoll
CASA Volunteer

Lisa and her CASA children at their adoption ceremony in December 2019.

Fulfillment is a tough thing to achieve, and it’s often found in a challenge.  After raising three kids of my own, a career in advertising, and then being on the board of a film festival, I found myself continuing the search for my next challenge.  I felt the need to do something uplifting, yet meaningful.  

 Upon finding CASA I had no idea just how difficult, and fulfilling, my role would be.  It is absolutely heart-wrenching to see a child living without a voice, having their fate tossed around like a baseball.  CASAs can be that voice;  we can speak on behalf of these children and help them find their permanent home.  At times it’s not easy, but as anyone who’s ever volunteered as a CASA can attest, the smile of a child in a tough situation makes every effort worthwhile. 

Over the past three years, I’ve been exposed to an entire world that I barely knew existed—one that is right next door. Seeing the struggles and triumphs of children and families so close by has helped me to grow and expand my perspective.  I have a deeper understanding of how interconnected we are, how powerful a helping hand can be.  

We expect our government to protect us, to protect our children, but there are holes in that system that desperately need to be filled.  When we see those gaps, it’s easy to feel hopeless, like nothing can be done. 

I had a case with two siblings who had been shuffled around from relative foster homes to non-relative foster homes.  For a time they were separated from each other before they were finally reunited, and there was no stability in sight.  It was obvious how meaningful my presence in their lives was. I remained the only constant through three years of changing hands; even the case workers from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency were pulled in and out of the case like hockey players being called off the ice.  But CASAs don’t get to give up, and we worked with the entire team to get them to adoption.  Witnessing it in court, watching their eyes light up with joy knowing they’ll finally have a forever home—well, there’s nothing quite like that.  

As CASAs we can actually make change happen, and that’s pretty fulfilling if you ask me.

Volunteer's dedication contributes to young man's success

By Gina Cetta
Program Director

When I think about Rich Rolek, one word immediately comes to mind: dedication.

For more than six years, Rich served as the CASA volunteer for a youth named Isaiah* (while simultaneously also working with several other young men in foster care). I remember when I first called Rich about then 14-year-old Isaiah, he did not hesitate for even a moment; Rich immediately signed on to take the case.  Whenever a volunteer takes on a child’s case, they are making a serious commitment, since the average CASA case lasts 18 months. However, working with a teenager is an even bigger commitment. Rich had worked with teenagers in the past, and knew that there was a possibility thatdfhe would be on the case until Isaiah aged out of the foster care system at 21. That’s exactly what happened. 

Like any teenager, Isaiah had his moments, and Rich certainly experienced the ups and downs of advocating for a teenager. Isaiah was an athletic young man, who was repeatedly on the Honor Roll. Usually, he was receptive and communicative, but sometimes, he was unresponsive to Rich. Rich never got discouraged, however, and continued to reach out to Isaiah regularly and advocate for him. They developed a relationship of respect for each other. When Isaiah turned 17 and like every teenager, desperately wanted to drive, Rich successfully advocated for Isaiah to receive his driving lessons.  Rich also advocated for the funds that allowed Isaiah  to participate in several school-sponsored trips to Europe, right along with his peers who weren’t in foster care. Rich assisted Isaiah with the college application process, and in filling out the financial aid forms. When Isaiah indicated interest in becoming a fireman, Rich contacted  several fire chiefs in Passaic County to see if they would meet with Isaiah to give him advice and/or answer questions.,

Isaiah recently turned 21 years old, and aged out of the foster care system. He is currently working 2 full-time jobs (having received promotions at both), with plans to possibly join the military in the future. In one of the last court hearings for his case, Isaiah told the Judge that he was thankful to all the people who had helped and supported him along the way, specifically mentioning his CASA, Rich. 

Because of Rich’s dedication, Isaiah did not fall through the cracks of the foster care system. He did not become another sad statistic about teenage boys in foster care. He is a healthy, thriving young man with a great future ahead of him. 

* Names and identifying details have been changed due to confidentiality

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.