Meet Kathy Shirilla

I was born and raised in Southern California. My parents had just purchased their first home when I came along. We lived amidst the orange groves. I believe we were one of the first homes built in the area.

Kathy with her daughter, Katie

I had wonderful parents along with an older brother and sister and a younger brother. I was my father’s daughter who would follow him everywhere. He loved to garden and I learned all his techniques. We would spend hours out in the yard. He also loved to golf, so I took up golf.

My mother was an excellent cook but I preferred to be outdoors. Perhaps this is why I continue to struggle with cooking but I sure can barbeque. My father taught me to drive in the bean fields. Not long after, the orange groves disappeared as did the bean fields.

I attended school in Orange County. After I finished school, I began my social services career in 1974 with the Orange County Social and Human Services. We were a small office located below a methadone clinic. I served a variety of clients and I worked with all ages. I found that this was both rewarding and challenging at the same time. I really found my true career path.

Our little family moved to beautiful Southern Oregon in the small town of Brookings on the coast. I began with the state working at the CSO office. I really learned about poverty and the plight of those in need. I can remember that many folks camped out because they could not find affordable housing. I would do home visits back in the woods and up the river. My directions included counting downed trees and following the river’s edge. You know, turn left at the fourth downed tree go right where the path forks. There was never a dull moment.

When we moved to Vancouver, I had noticed an article in the newspaper a story about the CASA Program. I was taken in by the service the program provided.

I began volunteering in 1995. I find that this work is the most difficult, but most rewarding work I have ever attempted. I find many disappointments along the way but when I see the changes I can make in a child’s life, I feel so encouraged to keep doing this work.

I was hired as a case manager in 1999 and took in all the new cases until funds ran out in 2001. In 2002, I was again rehired as a program specialist. Not only do I get the opportunity to help our most vulnerable children but I also get to meet and work with the most giving and fabulous people. Our volunteers are a great joy. I like the teaching but more, I love watching the CASA volunteers grow and feel that satisfaction they can get when they have succeed in helping these children.

Outside of work I still golf and garden. I also have good times with the many friends I have made since working at the YWCA. Both my children have graduated college and have moved away. We are still very close and enjoy the all times we get together.

Why I'm a CASA Program Specialist

Tanisha Harris, CASA Program Specialist

by Tanisha Harris

The best thing about being a CASA is seeing families succeed and parents be reunified with their children. This is no more evident every December when YWCA Clark County hosts our annual Holiday Shop.

In order to shop, our parents must have their children in their care. This past December a good number of CASA parents came from the Family Treatment Program. Parents in this program have severe drug and alcohol issues. In the beginning of their cases, most parents are in Inpatient Treatment programs and are struggling to get clean and sober. By the time December came, a number of them had completed the program, were caring for their children, and starting a new life for their families.

Knowing the struggles these parents and children faced, it is truly gratifying and rewarding to see the pure joy on the faces of these parents as they “shopped” for their children at YWCA’s Holiday Shop. (Gifts are donated, and parents select items for themselves and their children at no cost.) Many parents are either emotional or reflective, as this might be the first time in awhile they were able to spend the holidays with their children.

As I helped out this past December, I too was reflective of what it means to be a CASA and the journey you go on with the children. I was reminded of how hard these parents fought and what they overcame to get their children back and the importance of never giving up.

The job of a CASA requires having a caring heart, passion for all children, and wanting children to know that they are important and special. It’s not about winning or losing; arguing or debating. It’s about advocating what is best for the child.

My First Case

by Gleena Rees

I first met Amanda when she was six years old. She was already in her second foster home. She was very shy. She would hide under tables and not talk.

In her second home, she was in a great place. She was a very active girl. In this home, she was learning manners and how to relate to people. Her hand and arms and legs moved all the time, but she was also beginning to have some control. She had a hard time in school as she did not know how to relate to other children, but she was making progress.

She was in this home over a year before she was moved to foster home that was to be a forever home. There were older children in the home, and she and the mom could not bond. So after about a year she was moved to yet another foster home.

There, she made great progress learning many personal skills. She really liked the family. But once again she was moved. This time it was not a good fit. Thanks to social worker and CASA she was moved to another home. Amanda liked being there, as they were a very active family, and so was she!

After many moves she has now found her forever family. She was adopted in April 17th 2015. She has two brothers and a loving new home.

This was my first case as a CASA, and I learned many things along the way. I had great program specialist and some good social workers who made this much more workable. I have enjoyed watching Amanda change over the years in to a nice and happy young girl.

About the CASA
Glenna was a steady presence in Amanda’s life and she visited her frequently. Glenna became an extended part of Amanda’s life and she was greeted by Amanda on adoption day with smiles and hugs. Amanda is just one example of the impact Glenna has made in lives of our children.

-Sheryl Thierry, CASA Program Specialist

The Benefits of Self-Care

republished from http://livingselfcare.wordpress.com 


When we take good care of ourselves, there are multiple benefits to us as well as others. While self-care may seem self-indulgent, it’s not. Just as we’re instructed to put our oxygen mask on first if there’s an emergency on an airplane so we can help others, self-care enables us to help ourselves and others more.

Self-Care Improves Our Health
Self-care tends to improve our immunity, increase positive thinking and make us less susceptible to stress, depression, anxiety and other emotional health issues. Taking time out to care for ourselves helps remind us and others that our needs are important, too. Feeling well cared-for leads to feelings of calm and relaxation, and conveys to others that we value ourselves which contributes to long-term feelings of wellbeing.

Self-Care Makes Us a Better Caretaker
People who neglect their own needs and forget to nurture themselves are at danger of deeper levels of unhappiness, low self-esteem and feelings of resentment. Also, sometimes people who spend their time only taking care of others can be at risk for getting burned out on all the giving, which makes it more difficult to care for others or themselves. Taking time regularly for self-care can actually make you a better caretaker for others.

The Sisters

by Leslee Gibbs

I was assigned to the case in June 2010. She was a happy and sweet two-year old girl. After a few months, the little girl was moved to another foster home to be with her new sister who was born severely drug-affected and spent the first few months of her life in an intensive care unit.

There were many challenges and obstacles throughout this case. The parents were inconsistent with visiting the girls and completing court-ordered services, which was very difficult for the girls. They would disappear and have no contact for months and then want to be part of their lives again.

 After some time, the girls became legally free from their mother and there was a couple who wanted to adopt them. As the couple was going through the adoption process, a relative came forward and wanted to be a placement for the girls, but failing to follow through with the home study, the relative was found not to be a safe placement for the girls. The couple grew frustrated from waiting so long and stopped pursuing adoption.

The girls were still in the home of foster parents who wanted to make sure they ended up in a safe home, so they decided to start the process to adopt the girls. The state prepared for the trial on the fathers of the girls, but the judge postponed the trial date to give the fathers another opportunity to be present at the trial.

 The trial happened a couple months later and the girls became legally free of the fathers. A few months after the trial, another relative came forward and expressed interest in adopting the girls. The relative failed her home study and was not a viable placement for the girls.

 In March 2015, the girls were finally adopted by their foster parents. The foster parents never once complained and were incredibly patient through the entire process. The girls are very blessed to have such selfless people to take care of them.

It was an honor to attend the adoption hearing and be part of these little girls' lives. It was a long journey and took a lot persistence and patience, but it was worth it to see the smiles on their faces as they walked out of the courtroom knowing that they will be able to grow up as sisters in a happy and loving home.

About the CASA
Leslee was devoted to this case from the start and managed to endure all the twists and turns with patience and grace. The adoptive family relied on Leslee to help them through the process. She became an extension of their family and was almost as emotional at the adoption hearing as the they were. Leslee’s commitment to the case and to the CASA program has been crystal clear. She had a tremendous impact on the lives of these girls in her role as their CASA. 

-Sheryl Thierry, CASA Program Specialist

Volunteer Appreciation

YWCA Clark County CASA Program Staff would like to recognize the 224 volunteers who provided approximately 36,000 hours of service and served over 650 children and families in 2014. Your role as an advocate is fundamental in the life of each and every child we serve. Thank You to all our volunteers who so generously contribute to the safety of the most vulnerable children in our community and the quality of our Clark County YWCA CASA Program.

Judy Reel joined the CASA Program in 2014. Judy is a valuable resource and voice for the 2 children she is currently serving and the family unit as a whole. We would like to highlight some of Judy’s accomplishments in 2014; Judy facilitated the donation of sleeping bags that the children needed for camp, ensured the children’s applications for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program were completed; the young lady she is serving is enjoying her Big Sister and the young man is on a waiting list for his Big Brother. Judy maintains regular contact with the children and their services providers to ensure the children’s needs are meet and advocates to ensure efforts are in their best interest. Judy is readily available to support the children and family care provider to ensure their needs and concerns get addressed in a timely manner. Thank you, Judy Reel for being an amazing Clark County CASA Advocate.

Janice Wright joined the CASA Program in 2012 and is currently serving 3 families and 5 children- all under the age of 3. Janice served a total of 4 families and 6 children in 2014. Janice strives to promote reunification and services for children and parents to ensure healthy and safe reunifications- if possible. She has been a valuable resource and voice for the children she serves. Janice strongly advocated for a child who was 2 grade levels behind his peers and not reaching benchmark. He desperately needed additional educational supports and it was part of his service plan, however after multiple delays from the referring resource, Janice prevailed in court when the commissioner ordered tutoring. One of the most beautiful connections Janice has made is with the very young mother- who too is a dependent child. Although, Janice is not an advocate for this mother she had been an amazing support in effort to get the mother to engage with the department, services, and to strive to seek reunification of her child. Thank you, Janice Wright for being an amazing Clark County CASA Advocate.

Betsy Sanford Betsy has had a very successful year advocating for three children in two cases. Betsy has helped establish and maintain much needed academic support for one child, empathetically supported another through a move to a new foster home, and helped a teen find her voice and the strength to be herself. Betsy attends every urgent meeting, stays persistent in communication even when others do not, and stands strong in court to guarantee her children are being heard and their lives respected. Betsy’s dedication to learning about her CASA children, their wants, their needs, their hopes, and fears as well as her unwavering compassion for them to have the best lives they can shows in her ever present efforts to champion without compromise for what’s in their best interest. 

Cheri Walker started with the CASA program in 2014. Cheri has done an amazing job jumping in with both feet. Cheri has two cases; a teenager and a little one, both with very different challenges. One of her cases has been through a few Advocates due to the great challenges involved with the case. Cheri has worked hard, persevered despite the numerous obstacles and set-back’s she’s faced, never giving up for this child. We are so impressed and proud to have such a dedicated and amazing advocate on our team! Thank you Cheri for all your hard work!

Sharon Crouch started with the CASA program in 2014. She has had 3 cases, one which has had a successful return home, one almost complete with adoption, and one that the outcome is still unknown. Sharon has diligently investigated her cases to make sure every piece is looked into and considered, there is no rock left unturned in her cases! She has also mentored some of our newest volunteers! Sharon is amazingly organized, extremely reliable, dedicated, and one of the first to step up and help when an extra hand is needed. Sharon, your hard work and dedication not only to the kids, but to the others in the program as well is invaluable! Thank you for your amazing service to CASA.

Meet Kelli Burgad

I was born and raised in Montana; a real Montana girl that loves to hike, fly fish, camp, and do anything that entails outdoor fun! I am fiercely independent and not afraid to adventure out on my own. I moved out the week after graduating high school. I was well prepared as I started collecting items for my own apartment from the time I was a freshman in high school. I am defiantly an introvert and need my alone time, but also find a great passion helping those in need.

I started my first adventure at Boise State University. Yep, the big BLUE turf! I was on track to go to Boise State on a Gymnastics scholarship until I broke my back. That ended my gymnastics days, but I still felt a commitment and connection to BSU. I have always had a love for kids, babysitting, coaching, and teaching pre-school; eventually gaining my degree in Early Childhood Education. I then moved to Vancouver WA to be closer to my brother, where I experienced my first job working with at risk children and families in a school setting. I fell in love with helping families but felt uneducated in the mental health side of things, so I decided to further my education at WSU Vancouver. Go Cougs! I received a degree in Psychology and Human Development. I did experience some of my own hardships, and that gives me great empathy and understanding when working with the families we serve.

I stayed home with my own two kids until they both were in school full time before jumping back into the workforce. My family continues to be my love and priority! I started with CASA almost 7 years ago as a volunteer while I was still home with my kids and timing worked out perfect as an employment opportunity opened up when my youngest was starting first grade. I do this work due to the great fulfillment it gives; there is nothing better than genuinely knowing you made a difference in a child’s life!! I am careful to include self-care in my daily routine so I can continue to be an effective advocate for our kids and supportive supervisor to my advocates, in which I greatly appreciate and admire what you each bring to our program. I keep my secondary trauma at bay by being very self-aware, practicing Yoga, enjoying yard work, reading, and spending time with my kids and their many activities. I also give great thanks to my wonderfully supportive husband and extended family that put up with my many quirks!