“Thank you for making a difference”

The volunteers at North Idaho CASA don't work with the organization for recognition, but on Saturday evening, the organization thanked 80 local advocates for their contribution to the community. 

North Idaho CASA is a regional division of the National Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA). Judges assign advocates like those honored Saturday to children victims of abuse or neglect within the five panhandle counties. By working with entities and services throughout the state, advocates aim to allow those children to thrive. 

"CASA has grown and grown as a result of the generosity of this community," advocate supervisor Anissa Brady said. "We now provide things like bunk beds, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and a plethora of things that families need to help them get back on their feet. These guys speak for the kids. That's what they're there for."

Though the North Idaho program has been around the area since the 1990s, Saturday marked the first appreciation event. Much of the reason for this, Brady said, was that many volunteers don't want attention for what they do. They just want to serve children in need. 

"They put everything into this, and as a staff, we see what they do every single day," Brady said. "Some days are harder than others, and we want them to know we couldn't do it without them. They're the heart of this organization."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a banquet at the Coeur d'Alene Resort was off the table, director of development Kristin Ludwig said. Instead, advocates, staff, and board members decked their Fourth Street facility with twinkling lights to deliver "thank you for making a difference" gift bags. 

North Idaho CASA also acknowledged four advocates, John Williams, Susan Sotin, Camie Wereley, and Bobbi Wolf, for serving the organization for more than two decades and hundreds of hours given back to children. Erin Cunningham was also presented the lifetime achievement award for her dedication to the CASA and her role in growing the North Idaho program.

"Over the past 23 years, each of these advocates has been called upon to take on hard cases. Which over time has taken hundreds of hours and in most cases heartaches," Cunningham said. "Our recognition of them tonight is just a small show of appreciation for what they have accomplished for the children in our community and their families."

Wereley became aware of CASA when she was a member of the junior league in Seattle in the 1980s, but with working full-time, juggling marriage, and starting a family, there wasn't enough time. It wasn't until becoming pregnant with her first son that she found time, and only two months after his birth, she received her first case. Now 23 years have gone by, and Wereley is still as passionate about helping the cause. 

"I have always thought it was important to be a part of my community in a positive way," she said. "So being able to volunteer for an agency that I believe in, that I think does make a difference, and with so many wonderful people I've met through the years feels really good."

Cunningham, who retired as an advocate supervisor from North Idaho CASA last year, has been with the program since its inception. Starting at the old building on Sherman Avenue, Cunningham started out working in the office, fell in love, and became an advocate shortly after. She said she'd always known there was a need for CASA networks in the community, one that was not only trusted by the courts but the children they serve. 

"Sometimes kids' voices are not heard, and if they don't have an advocate to tell the judge what is going on and what is needed, they won't get the right help," Cunningham said. "You're the only consistent person that stays with them from the beginning of the case to the end. It's very profound. You make a difference."