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

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.

WMUR

Help comes in many forms, some obvious, some subtle, although the latter is no less impactful. Right now, CASA of New Hampshire is celebrating full training classes, the result of ongoing recruitment efforts boosted in a big way by the team at WMUR. Over and over during these last few months, we’ve heard “I saw it on WMUR” when soon-to-be and newly graduated volunteers share how they heard about us. The videos are obvious, the care that went into them and the willingness promote them, among other behind-the-scenes efforts, might go unseen, but they are a big part of our recent success. WMUR has extended CASA of NH’s reach during a critical time when we need more volunteers to meet an increasing need. We would also like to recognize Amy Coveno’s contribution’s as the former board co-chair and as a current Advisory Council member. It’s community partners like WMUR that can end up making all the difference.

Halfway between the equator and the North Pole lies the 45th parallel. Those who live and play in New Hampshire’s scenic and adventure-rich North Country have likely seen the controversial green plaque marking the spot. (Due to the Earth being not quite a perfect sphere, and also the fact that the sign has been moved and/or stolen on occasion, the exact location of the 45th parallel is a little fuzzy.)

Just north of this shifty line of demarcation, in the town of Pittsburg, can be found some of Court Appointed Special Advocate of New Hampshire’s most steadfast supporters. You might call this a tale of two bears.

Corrine Rober and Steve Baillargeon are long-time supporters and friends of CASA. Some of Corrine’s “first steps” helping CASA took place on the runway for fashion show fundraisers. In 2014, Corrine and Steve’s company, Bear Rock Adventures, launched a full-day fundraising and awareness event for CASA. Running for multiple years, these jamboree benefits offered activities and attractions for the whole family, along with some key visibility for CASA of NH.

“We’re always looking for ways to connect to the community and meet the needs in the community. There are a lot of struggles for kids in the North Country, and not a lot of support,” explains Corrine.

More recently, when the CASA Cares Gala returned live in 2022, after being held virtually during the pandemic, Corrine and Steve were large contributors to the event’s success. Not only did they donate a Bear Rock Adventures glamping and ATV package for the auction, they added to the excitement in person, and placed the winning bid for lunch and a tour of the capital building with Governor Sununu.

As a sign of their commitment, Bear Rock Adventures has also officially selected CASA as one of their charities of choice. Corrine and Steve directed their PR team to include CASA messaging in Bear Rock’s marketing, and they recently hosted an open house at the store to spread awareness. “We’ve always believed in what CASA is doing. The need for assistance for youth in the area made us decide that CASA is one organization that is really vital for our community,” says Corrine.

Additionally, Bear Rock Adventures has partnered with The Family Restored, whose mission is to strengthen and support families affected by addiction through family support groups, 12-step workshops, and scholarships to help pay for treatment and recovery housing.

A stone’s throw down the road from Bear Rock Adventures (perhaps with a stop at Moose Alley Cones for a Bear Paw sundae) is At Bear Tree Inn and Cabins, also home to Murphy’s Steakhouse. In 2002 proprietor Georgie Lyons became only the second ever CASA of NH volunteer north of Dixville Notch. As a CASA, Georgie spent three years advocating for four North Country children. “I loved the training,” she says, “and it felt really good helping the children out.”

Having stepped back from her CASA role due to the many commitments of running a business, Georgie now serves on the CASA North Country Advisory Council. “It’s disheartening to see what these kids are going through in this day and age,” says Georgie. “There’s so much more pressure and stress on children and parents.”

Her confidence in the good a CASA can do for children has kept Georgie connected with the organization for the past two decades. “It’s a great organization, and it’s so needed,” she says. From donating lodging for staff during work trips to sharing the word about CASA far and wide, Georgie plays a key part in furthering CASA’s mission in New Hampshire’s north.

While the exact location of the 45th parallel is somewhat wavering, the support of Georgie, Corrine, Steve, and others like them in the North Country is anything but. CASA of NH is so grateful for our friends in “high” places.