2021 Volunteer of the Year – Martha Allen

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Martha Allen has been selected as our 2021 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Martha Allen has been with the Clayton County CASA program since 2016. Throughout her service, Mrs. Allen has worked on two cases with two children. She advocated for these children up to their adult age, and continues to be a positive influence in their lives. Mrs. Allen goes above and beyond the call of duty when advocating for children who have been assigned to her.  Mrs. Allen had a teen, she was assigned to, who was involved in sports. She adjusted her personal obligations to ensure she was at the child’s sporting events. She was the cheerleader and a support system for this child.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Martha Allen’s personal strength and skill is her ability to connect with her children. She views them as humans and not just a case. She is a mentor and encourager for the children she serves. Mrs. Allen promotes the Clayton County CASA program and Georgia CASA by displaying a yard sign in her front yard. She attends CASA events to help raise awareness of her local program.

2020 Volunteer of the Year – Valerie Zanders

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Valerie Zanders has been selected as our 2020 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Valerie Sanders was sworn in as a CASA volunteer in 2016. Ms. Zanders was eager to get started, she received her first case shortly after being sworn in and hit the ground running. She has been assigned four cases and has served seven children. Ms. Zanders has displayed the same enthusiasm for all of her cases as she did with her very first one. She , consistently, exceeds expectations when assigned to a case. Ms. Zanders attends doctor appointments, visits the school and speak with the teachers regarding the children she’s advocating for. Ms. Zanders believes it is important to develop a close relationship with each child; one built on trust.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Valerie Zander’s personal strength is perseverance. In 2017, Ms. Zanders received some disturbing news regarding her health. She was diagnosed with a major illness and was unsure if she would still be able to advocate for children. Ms. Zanders did not allow her diagnosis impede her from advocating for children. She continued with her monthly visits, turning in her reports and attending court proceedings. Ms. Zanders is always willing to assist with any CASA event, share information about CASA and how being a CASA volunteer can have a profound impact on the life of a child.

2019 Volunteer of the Year – Rhonda Burke

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Rhonda Burke has been selected as our 2019 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Rhonda Burke has been a volunteer with Clayton County CASA since 2013. Mrs. Burke performs her CASA responsibilities in a superior manner, as demonstrated through her advocacy work on current and previous cases involving children in foster care. She is very passionate about ensuring that the children who are placed in the custody of the , Department of Family and Children Services, receive a safe, suitable, permanent and loving home. Mrs. Burke is willing to take on extra tasks, along with, advocating  for children. Mrs. Burke takes advantage of training opportunities to obtain information that will enhance her skills to continue being an effective CASA volunteer.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Rhonda Burke has exceptional leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. She relates well with CASA staff, agency personnel and all parties involved with her cases. Mrs. Burke is a strong problem solver, with the ability to identify issues and focus her attention on important details in a case. She currently serves as the Vice-Chairperson on the Friends of Clayton CASA Advisory Board. Mrs. Burke’s dedication to the Clayton County CASA program and her hard work advocating for children on foster care, reveals her selfless nature.

2018 Volunteer of the Year – Lisa Marie Harris

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Lisa Marie Harris has been selected as our 2018 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Lisa Marie Harris has been with Clayton County CASA since 2015 as a volunteer. When she received her first case, she began diligently working it and contacted numerous parties involved. She was assigned five cases and served six children with one child concluding with a successful adoption. Ms. Harris believes it is important to develop and foster a close bond with any child assigned to her. She is well-spoken and always polite with interacting with court officers or DFCS employees.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Ms. Harris comes from a background in law enforcement and always has the point of view of seeing the cup half full. She has assisted with several CASA events during her tenure as a CASA. Despite facing personal difficulty, Ms. Harris could always be counted on to visit her child monthly, submit all reports, and attend all panels, meetings, and hearings relevant to her assign CASA child. She had not only continued advocating for children’s best interest, she tells everyone that she meets about CASA and the important role CASA plays in the lives of abused and neglected children.

2016 Volunteer of the Year – Meredith Smith

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Meredith Smith has been selected as our 2016 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Meredith Smith has been a volunteer with Clayton County CASA since 2014. She attends any scheduled panel and court hearings on her assigned cases. She has been assigned to several children on multiple cases at the same and always gives every child individual attention. Ms. Smith completed in-service training hours in excess of the required annual amount. She puts forth great effort in assuring that the children’s needs are being met and has spoken at training events for other CASA volunteers.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Meredith Smith is active within the community and became a part of the Friends of Clayton County CASA Board in 2017.  She is always present at CASA fundraisers, awareness and recruitment events, and Team Meetings with CASA Volunteer Supervisors and their volunteers. Ms. Smith works with children at her daily job and continues to better children through her CASA work.

2015 Volunteer of the Year  – Sharyn Doanes

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Sharyn Doanes has been selected as our 2015 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Sharyn Doanes has been a Clayton County CASA volunteer since November 2004. She vowed to become a CASA volunteer to help others in need in order to give something back to the community.  She works diligently with her case assignments to gather, monitor, and report pertinent details to the court system.  She also makes extra efforts to maintain contacts with the Department of Family and Children Services, CASA supervisor, teachers, foster parents, relatives, parents, and of course the child or children assigned to her care.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Sharyn ‘s drive is centered on her passion to help others by volunteering for Village Atlanta, homeless shelter, Atlanta Ballet Board, Georgia Catholic School board. Sharyn came to us through “Hands On Atlanta” which she completed an application and wanted to become a volunteer to help children that were being abused.

Mrs. Doanes has a MBA in the legal field and her past experience with the New York Times for 8 years gave her a vast of information regarding abused and neglected children. Mrs. Doanes arrives on time for court hearings, panel reviews, and child visits. She is very reliable, dependable, and maintains focus on the child or children in care. She has a special tenacity for obtaining information that will assist the courts in deriving at the best decision for her case load by going the extra mile to research statutes, legal amendments, and other community resources.

2014 Volunteer of the Year – Cory Jones

On behalf of the Clayton County CASA program, we are proud to nominate an outstanding advocate for children. This nomination provides a snapshot view of an advocate who consistently demonstrates high standards of effective service to child who have been abused or neglected.  Cory Jones has been selected as our 2014 Volunteer of the Year and has been nominated for the Georgia CASA Volunteer of the Year.

High Effective Standards

Cory Jones has been a Clayton County CASA Volunteer since April 2013. The children on his caseload connect with him because he honestly cares for their well-being and it shows. Mr. Jones organizational skills are impeccable. He has a notebook with tabs on everyone he has come into contact with and documents everything. Mr. Jones has had a total of three cases in which one was a high-profile case that was featured on the local news. Mr. Jones  has a goal to ensure that all of his cases are handled properly. Regardless of the obstacles presented  to him he continues to perform as a CASA and not let any of the backlash detour him from his case.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Mr. Jones completed the Fostering Future training to be better equipped to advocate for teenagers that will be aging out and have the opportunity to attend college. Once completed Mr. Jones requested a case with a teenager. Mr. Jones worked the case in addition to the case that he was already assigned. Mr. Jones is a CASA in every sense of the word. His commitment and dedication to children on his caseload is an inspiration to other CASA’s. Mr. Jones is often asked to come to trainings to speak to new Volunteer’s  in training. He answers questions and promotes CASA in a very positive manner which we appreciate.