CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) recently announced the winner of the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Award. Pati LaBrosse of Martinsburg was honored with the award for her heroic and significant contributions to the organization and serving as a high-impact advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
LaBrosse has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for almost nine years, handling 11 cases and going well beyond the call of duty in helping children find safe and stable environments in which to live and grow. In choosing LaBrosse as this year’s award recipient, the organization focused on the longevity of her service, her exceptional c, and the spirit of collaboration and teamwork she role models every day.
“The importance of volunteers to CASA-EP cannot be overstated. Whether the individual acts as an advocate for a child, a board member or a volunteer administrator, his or her time and resources given to support of the CASA-EP mission deserve hearty appreciation and recognition,” said Michelle Sudduth, executive director of CASA-EP. “It is with great pleasure that we honor Pati LaBrosse for her leadership within the organization and her unwavering commitment to advocating for a child’s best interest in the court system.”
In addition to child advocacy, LaBrosse has routinely given her time and resources to train other volunteers and improve the operation of the Eastern Panhandle program. Showing remarkable initiative, Pati assisted in the formulation and initial launch of Fostering Futures, a mentoring program begun to assist older youth who are anticipated to age out of the child welfare system prior to achieving permanency.
“Fostering Futures is a necessary and important programmatic development for CASA-EP. Pati’s involvement, along with that of other passionate advocates, was essential to expanding our program beyond court advocacy,” said Cari Lefeber, CASA-EP Volunteer Supervisor.
“Through this program we now have a framework for helping older youth build resiliency, independence, and gain the skillset to more successfully enter adulthood,” she said.
Del Pope, director of training and staff development, echoed the appreciative sentiments.
“Pati has been a joy to work with in my past nine years at CASA-EP. She supported me as a new staff member and has continued to offer that countenance to new volunteers and staff. Her generosity and grace are exceptional.”
Those who know LaBrosse describe her as calm, non-judgmental, professional, determined and compassionate – qualities that are essential for any advocate. The fact that LaBrosse exhibits them all so well, makes her the ideal CASA volunteer.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These advocates ensure that children do not get lost in an overburdened child welfare system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. Volunteers stay with the child’s case until it is closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home or reunited with their biological family when possible and appropriate.
Along with Volunteer of the Year, CASA-EP end-of-year acknowledgements included recognition of many other volunteers who have displayed exceptional advocacy, dedication and support to the organization in 2020. “All of our CASA volunteers – both seasoned and new – deserve great credit this year. Their selflessness has supported 325 children who have endured great trauma in their lives,” shared Sudduth. “Thirty-five new advocates stepped up this year to change a child’s story. Our volunteers have pivoted to serve more than ever in 2020 and have done so with remarkable resilience, tenacity and commitment,” she said.
Prior honorees include Val Smith, founder of CASA-EP, longtime advocate, and supporter since its inception in 2003.
