“Be kind and open minded,” is the secret to helping young people, said Marcialyn Ellis, longtime volunteer for young people as a Goochland Court Appointed Special Advocates [CASA). The nonprofit agency is committed to advocating for abused and neglected children involved in the court process due to concerns for their safety and well-being.
CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises local citizens who become volunteer advocates dedicated to representing the needs and best interests of at-risk children in need of services or supervision. The advocates promote safe permanent homes for all children.
“Change a child’s story” is the heading of the website for CASA. Wanting to do just that, Ellis became a CASA in 2017. Her 39 years in public education as a teacher and librarian provide a wealth of experience with young people and the challenges they face; some more than others.
Ellis has always held to the philosophy "Look to the good in every child." She said "It yields great satisfaction when help from a CASA makes a positive impact on a young person’s life."
“I witnessed a young person pull up Fs to As and walk with head held high after a change in a custody situation,” she said.
Getting to know clients involves an inclusive interview and documentation process that can yield memorable acquaintances, not just with humans.
Marcialyn recalls sitting in a chair for two and a half hours conducting an interview with the head of a 125-pound Rottweiler on her lap. Two years later, she encountered a formidable looking dog of the same breed in the passenger seat of a van she parked beside in front of Dollar General. He seemed excited as she stood beside the vehicle.
“As I watched him jumping up and down while wagging his short little tail, I realized it was the same dog!”
Another time after an interview she got her vehicle stuck in a muddy yard and extreme efforts had to be made to get it out.
In addition to advocating for CASA clients or “cases,” Ellis enjoys reading, playing with her donkeys, cooking, and attending music concerts. She also enjoys part-time substitute teaching.
When stressed, her go to spot is the University of Virginia lawn amidst the aroma of magnolias. “It is my favorite place for solace in the world,” she said.
Her dedication to helping young people is what the organization is looking for in a “CASA,” as the trained volunteers are called. “She is an excellent communicator,” said Renae Townsend, executive director of Goochland CASA. “This skill is so important to being professional and effective as we work to advocate for the children of this county.”
Townsend said Ellis has been involved in helping 12 cases advocating for children in her seven years as a CASA.
“There is no way to measure the difference she has made in children’s lives,” Townsend added.