Joan Moffitt has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for 10 years.  Throughout that time she has been assigned to four cases and advocated for 11 children.     

In her first case she was assigned to three boys.  The oldest was eight years old at the time and was moved to another foster home, separate from his brothers, becuase of his behavioral issues.

During the three years she was on this case, she saw this boy move through five different foster homes, all in different cities, separated from his siblings, and had to change schools each time.  This only exacerbated his behavioral issues.  During this challenging time,  Joan began to see the impact she was making as the one consistent person in his life he knew he could trust.  Joan was a familiar face, and every time she saw him, her face would light up.  Her reaction to seeing him was a comfort to him and it made him smile every time they were together.  

Joan remembers from her first CASA training she learned children need at least one person in their lives who will support and encourage them, someone who will light up when they walk into the room.  Typically, that is the parent, but for this boy, it was Joan his CASA volunteer advocate.  She visited him every month, and during those visits, he knew he was valued.  She always encouraged him and believed in him.  The case closed after three years, and all three brothers were returned home to their birth parents. 

Joan shared, “The two best things about the CASA program are the training provided and the consistency we have with the children.”  She continued to say, “The Advocate Supervisors are incredible.  I’m impressed with their knowledge, responsiveness, and support of all the advocates.” 

In addition to her work as a CASA advocate, Joan volunteers as a bedside magician for pediatric patients for Open Heart Magic (OHM) and their motto is, “helping kids get their magic back.”  She said it’s been a great icebreaker in her CASA work, because all children love to see magic and then learn to do the tricks on their own, so they can share with their friends.  Joan truly enjoys helping children, especially those going through a difficult time in their lives.  Joan lives in Glen Ellyn and has three grown daughters. 

Thank you Joan, for being an extraordinary advocate and helping so many children in the DuPage County community!