In the 36 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 thousands of 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 throughout the state who believe in the work our CASA/GALs do and who continue to support our mission. CASA of New Hampshire’s Judicial Service Award is given annually to a judge whose outstanding contributions exemplify CASA’s mission to ensure a child’s best interest remains at the forefront and whose support promotes the success of CASA/GAL advocacy.

Judge Kimberly Chabot is receiving this year’s Judicial Service Award in recognition of her deep commitment to justice and the well-being of children and families. With a career spanning over three decades in New Hampshire – from her early days as a prosecutor to her extensive judicial service on the Circuit Court – Judge Chabot has brought compassion, integrity, and dedication to every case over which she presides. Her thoughtful handling of child protection and juvenile cases, including in Manchester, Plymouth and Nashua, reflects her support for the mission of CASA. Judge Chabot has demonstrated time and time again that she respects and values the critical role CASA advocates play in both children’s lives and the courts. We are grateful for her service, and hope you’ll join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition.

CASA of New Hampshire couldn’t serve our community without the many valuable partners who support us in our work. These businesses, organizations and people lend a hand in many ways, from spreading the word about CASA to reach more people to facilitating events. This award is given to a community partner who has gone above and beyond to help CASA of NH — this partner is consistently in our corner and can always be relied upon to help us further our mission.

This year, we are proud to honor CGI Business Solutions as the recipient of our Community Partner Award – a recognition that reflects not only their professional excellence, but their deep and sustained commitment to our mission and the children we serve.

While the leadership of president and founder Dan Cronin clearly sets the tone, this partnership runs deeper than the top, with the entire CGI team embracing CASA of NH. They’ve paid special attention to who we are, what we do, and how they can support us, which goes beyond the excellent services they provide. CGI has stepped up time and again to sponsor many of our events, and Michael Burns, a senior benefits consultant at CGI Solutions, is a current CASA of NH board member and former board co-chair.

CGI Solutions exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner – not just in name, but in action.

“With all I have been through I have found that I have trust issues in adults but when I met Lauren, I knew that would talk to her about stuff.”

“You are always kind, and we’ve never seen you angry. You always play games with us, and we love walking with you because you always pick the best days to go on a walk, and when we talk it’s very fun.”

In the summer of 2021, Lauren Groves met the twin siblings who would later write the above words to their advocate. Lauren is a dedicated mother of three and works for her church yet still finds time to give so much to CASA. Perhaps most profound is the lasting impact Lauren has made in four years of advocacy for the twins, who experienced years of neglect, instability and three removals from primary caregivers in their first nine years of life. Lauren has been their unwavering advocate and the one steady presence in their lives.

Through every transition, Lauren brought consistency, compassion and fierce dedication. In lives filled with uncertainty, she offered hope and showed them what it means to have a trusted adult who genuinely cares for their wellbeing. Her presence planted seeds of safety, trust and love that will undoubtedly continue to grow for years to come.

Her heart, persistence, and natural leadership make her an extraordinary CASA, and it is an honor to recognize the difference she makes in the lives New Hampshire’s children.

– Excerpted from Lauren Groves’s nomination, written by Alison Wheeler, Advocate Supervisor

About the Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy 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 true champion for the children with whom she worked, 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 was honored to create 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. The unique gift for the award winner was designed and created by Linda’s daughter Marla, a world-renowned jewelry designer.

On a spring day at a Dunkin’ Donuts, Nicole* and Clara sit near a window, chatting and laughing while they sip their drinks. What is today a warm and close relationship started over two years ago on a much rockier note. Nicole first met Clara, her son’s CASA, in a courthouse during a time of crisis and at times didn’t even speak to her.

Nicole’s two-year-old son was removed from her care when he was found walking alone at night after he had gotten out of the house. Nicole said she started using heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs about six months after her son was born. While she was trying on her own to get sober at the time of the incident, she was struggling.

When the court appointed Clara as her son’s CASA, she didn’t know what to make of it.

“I hated anyone who wanted to help in any way,” she says. “I didn’t see it as help.”

Her relationship with Clara was difficult at first, and she went through a period where she didn’t talk to her. She remembers feeling jealous that Clara could see her son often for visits while she was separated from him during important milestones, like his third birthday.

“I blamed her, even though it was not her fault,” she says.

Nicole was part of a Family Treatment Court pilot program. Family Treatment Court is an option when substance use is a factor in an abuse or neglect case, and it focuses on using a team approach. Substance use and mental health providers, along with the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), CASA of NH and parent attorneys, work together to increase family access to supports and recovery services. It wasn’t easy being part of a new system in a relatively small community. Clara noted that Nicole received a lot of focus, especially since the police were familiar with her due to her substance misuse.

Eventually, things began to shift. Nicole learned that Clara was a volunteer — someone who was willingly and consistently showing up for her son without obligation.

“She was probably the only one who wasn’t self-concerned,” she said. “She wasn’t there for a paycheck.”

She began texting and calling Clara, appreciating that Clara would always pick up the phone. She recalls the time Clara was in the middle of a dentist appointment, but she still picked up to let Nicole know she would call her back.

“Clara was persistent and supportive, even when I told her to beat feet,” Nicole says.

Nicole began working on her recovery and developing organization systems so she could better keep track of things. She also filed a restraining order against her husband to ensure her son had a safe home to return to.

Clara and Nicole had become a team, working in the best interests of Nicole’s son. Clara said Nicole was determined; her son began to meet milestones, and his behavior became less aggressive. One day at court, Clara and Nicole met their own milestone — Nicole gave her a hug in front of the court.

After nearly two years of hard work, Nicole was able to bring her son home for good.

“I look at Nicole and tell her she’s my hero,” says Clara. “I don’t know if I could have done what she did.”

Recently, Nicole celebrated two years of sobriety, and she stays connected with a recovery coach. Her son, who started out nonverbal, is now a curious “chatterbox” who she says is always exploring new words. She still meets up with Clara, and they talk about the challenges of being a single parent and her goals for the future. She is taking steps to get her GED, and after that she wants to go to community college. She has been advocating as well for her son’s medical and educational needs.

“She fought for her son,” says Clara with pride. “She’s his biggest advocate.”

*Due to confidentiality, names and locations have been changed to prevent identification of a specific child or parent. The accompanying photos are stock images for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the people involved.

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.

Joe Ribsam

During his tenure as the director of the Division for Children, Youth and Families, Joe Ribsam was responsible for foundational change. Joe departed DCYF this summer, accepting the position of director of child welfare and juvenile justice at the nationally recognized Annie E. Casey Foundation. We will miss Joe, but are thankful for his efforts to transform and improve DCYF during a difficult period. He was also integral in repairing relationships with the state Legislature, and worked on establishing many other partnerships throughout the state, all focused on how to better help children. This included a renewed focus on prevention, building more structure around supports for families, resulting in a variety of programs that families can now access. We are grateful for Joe’s service, and wish him the best of luck in his new role.

Past Honorees:

2022 – Carol Goldstein
2021 – Lou Catano
2020 – Sylvia Gale
2019 – Judge Willard “Bud” Martin
2018 – Governor Christopher Sununu
2017 – Gail Snow
2016 – Sue Meagher
2015 – Kristi Lamont
2014 – Ann Larney
2013 – Sandra Matheson