Uncategorized Archives - CASA of New Hampshire

Announcing CASA’s New CEO and President

Dear Advocates,

As most, if not all, of you are aware, I am retiring this July. I’ve never doubted that CASA’s future is bright, thanks in large part to all of you, our staff, board of directors, supporters and all of those caring and dedicated people who make up the CASA community. I am excited to share that after an extensive search, the next leader of this extraordinary group will be Margaret Byrnes.

Margaret is extremely familiar with CASA as she’s been an advocate since 2021 and also serves as a peer mentor. As CASA’s next CEO and president her role will change dramatically, but she brings with her a deep, first-hand understanding of the incredible work you do and the impact you make every day.

Margaret began her career as a lawyer, and she is currently the executive director of the nonprofit New Hampshire Municipal Association. She has a wealth of experience that will serve her, and all of you, extremely well as CASA moves into its next chapter.

The CASA Board search committee put much care and thought into this process, and ultimately unanimously recommended Margaret for the position.

Below you’ll find a link to the full announcement, which will be made public later today. Margaret will begin at CASA on July 22.

I have always and will always believe that you, the advocates, are CASA’s heart. Without you, CASA simply would not work. I know that you all care deeply for CASA, and that you will continue to be the light that guides CASA onward.

Fondly,

Marty

LINK TO FULL PRESS RELEASE

Out & Abouts

Advocate Supervisor – Manchester

Join CASA of NH, a dynamic, high-energy, mission-based organization that is oriented toward high impact quality advocacy. CASA of NH provides volunteer advocacy for children in New Hampshire who experienced abuse or neglect. You will be joining caring professionals led by a senior leadership team who values a supportive, diverse, talented, and friendly work environment, while setting high expectations. Be your best and work with the best at CASA of NH.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Professionalism: Follows through on commitments; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for their own actions.

Teamwork: Gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.

Initiative: undertakes self-development activities; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Reports To:

Program Director

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Supervises Volunteer Advocates who volunteer in NH Family Courts in accordance with Court protocols and CASA of NH standards.
Coaches Volunteer Advocates throughout the life of a child protection case, ensuring Volunteers have the knowledge and confidence necessary to speak up on behalf of children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
Ensures all court case data and files are accurate and up to date.
Collaborates with community partners such as court personnel, Division of Children, Youth & Families, and others.
Provides regular input about training needs to the leadership team.
Conducts monthly volunteer support groups and ensures training opportunities for advocates.
Leverages strong interpersonal skills to empower and retain Volunteer Advocates.

Basic Qualifications

Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers and empowering them in their roles
Experience in conducting training with focused enthusiasm and energy
Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills
Comfortable learning proprietary software for case tracking
Excellent computer/data skills
Knowledge of juvenile court/child protection system a plus
Experience working with and respecting all people regardless of socioeconomic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender and experience working with culturally diverse populations
Demonstrate awareness, sound judgement and sensitivity to the interests and concerns of diverse multi-stakeholder groups
Associate’s Degree in addition to 5+ years’ experience
Commitment to CASA of New Hampshire’s mission, goals and values
Enjoys working in a busy, collaborative, and supportive environment

Other Information

This is a full-time, salaried position with competitive benefits, generous vacation and sick time, and paid health insurance. This position is based in our Manchester office and will begin in July.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire provides a voice for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect by empowering a statewide network of trained volunteers to advocate on their behalf so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. CASA of NH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek to offer a safe, and supportive work environment where all employees and volunteers feel valued and respected.

How to Apply

Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements by email to Jonelle Gaffney and Erin Boylan.

When CASA volunteer advocate Doug met Marie, she was living with her grandparents. Marie’s mother had died due to substance misuse, and her father’s parental rights were ultimately terminated.

At the end of road where Marie lived was mowed field with a big boulder in the middle. “Marie has a fascination with wolves, and we would often play out imaginary stories about wolves,” says Doug. “I quickly learned that a septuagenarian doesn’t have as much energy as an 8-year-old.”

The grandparents wanted to adopt Marie, and she wanted to be adopted by them. Unfortunately, relates Doug, after much work with the grandparents, both he and the Division of Children, Youth and Family (DCYF) still had significant concerns about Marie’s safety if she remained with her grandparents. The decision was made to move Marie to a bridge foster home.

On the day she was moved to her new home, a day Doug knew would be difficult for Marie, he met with a worker from DCYF. “She said to me, ‘I bet you can think of a lot of other things you’d rather be doing right now,’” recalls Doug. “I said, “but it not me, then who?’”

It was hard, but Doug was there for Marie, who was successfully moved to a wonderful foster home. That was a Friday. On Monday, Doug was waiting for Marie as she returned to her new home.

“I was parked outside, and she didn’t recognize my car right away, but when she saw me, she shouted “it’s DOUG!’ and nearly knocked me over with her hug.”

Marie still wanted a relationship with her grandparents, and shortly after Marie was removed from his home, the grandfather reached out to Doug to check on Marie. This led, says Doug, to a series of meetings over coffee.

The first attempt at finding a forever home failed, as the family wasn’t open to maintaining contact with Marie’s grandparents, something Doug was adamant should happen. He knew both Marie and her grandparents wanted to maintain a connection.

Marie returned to her first foster home, and told her foster mother that “Everyone wants to adopt babies, not 9-year-olds.”

But it just so happened that the very day Marie expressed losing hope, DCYF let the foster mother know that they’d found a new pre-adoptive home. Happily, the second attempt was successful, and a little over two years since Doug and Marie’s journey together began, Doug was in court to witness Marie’s joyful adoption.

Judicial Service Award: The Honorable Judge Kimberly Chabot

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.

2025 John McDermott Champion of Children Award: Sherry Ermel

We are delighted to name Sherry Ermel, bureau chief of field services for the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), as this year’s Champion of Children. With more than 30 years of service in child welfare Sherry has devoted her career to advocating for and protecting the well-being of children and families. She has served in numerous roles, from a child protection service worker and supervisor to key leadership positions over the past 13 years. In her current role she oversees child protection, juvenile justice, and constituent relations for DCYF, driving policy and practice that make a real difference in the lives of New Hampshire’s children.

Sherry is widely respected for her deep knowledge of New Hampshire’s child welfare system, her unwavering commitment to collaboration, and her ability to build strong, strategic partnerships across state agencies and community organizations. Her work has strengthened outcomes for families and children throughout New Hampshire. Her impact reaches across sectors through her involvement with the New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners and Directors, the NH Model Court Project, and several multidisciplinary review committees. She has collaborated extensively with CASA of NH, the Child Advocacy Centers, the Office of the Child Advocate, the NH Attorney General’s Office and more.

Sherry’s contributions have been recognized with both the NH Director’s Exemplary Leadership Award and the Spirit of NH Award, recognizing her efforts and excellent leadership. Tonight, we are proud to add another well-deserved honor to that list.

About the John McDermott Champion of Children Award

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.

Community Partner Award: CGI Business Solutions

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.

2025 Director’s Award: Anne and Mike Ambrogi

The Director’s Award is given to someone who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting and promoting CASA of New Hampshire. It recognizes those who have had significant and far-reaching impact regarding advancing CASA of NH’s work on a variety of levels.

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we present the Director’s Award to Anne and Mike Ambrogi, a remarkable couple whose individual and shared commitment to CASA of NH has had a lasting impact on our mission, our community and, most importantly, the children we serve.

Anne became a CASA volunteer advocate in 2017, and from the start she brought compassion, dedication and strength to the role. She served seven children during her time as an advocate, and today she continues to impact the lives of children through her peer mentorship of other advocates, who benefit greatly from her expertise and guidance.

It was through Anne’s stellar work as an advocate that Mike became involved with CASA. Mike is now a highly engaged board member, serving as co-chair of the development committee, where his leadership and expertise has helped steer our growth and sustainability. We also owe a huge thank-you to Mike’s company Novocure, which for the last three years supported our largest event of the year, CASA Cares, as the presenting sponsor.

Going above and beyond their formal roles, Anne and Mike have had an impact by being ambassadors and connectors, introducing us to others who’ve joined and strengthened our CASA community. We are proud to honor them with this award and even prouder to call them a part of the CASA family.

2025 Linda Egbert Outstanding Advocacy Award: Lauren Groves

“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.