Former abused child tells his story

Athens CASA chapter hosts author, many awards for those who have served

By Jayson Larson Sports Editor

Author John Borgstedt knows what it feels like to be a child swirling through the system.

As a juvenile, he was placed in more temporary homes, shelters and hospitals than he can remember. His parents were abusive, and in some cases after being removed from their custody, he was abused at the very places that were supposed to protect him.

Borgstedt was a guest speaker Thursday night at the annual Court Appointed Special Advocates of Trinity Valley Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet.

The event, held at Athens Country Club, provided those workers who advocate for children in law enforcement and through the legal system a chance to shine, to literally walk the red carpet.

“I just want y’all to know, your jobs are very important to kids like I was,” said Borgstedt, who wrote a book about his experiences called “I Love You Mom: Please Don’t Break My Heart.” “Without people like you, I think a lot of kids would lose hope for tomorrow.”

The Honorable Jim Parsons, former 3rd District Court Judge, was honored for his service and support of juvenile cases and of CASA.

Parsons served the 3rd District — which consists of Henderson, Anderson and Houston counties — for a decade. He has since returned to private practice, where he continues to support children’s causes.

CASA Executive Director Lee Ann Millender said Parsons has responded for calls to help “whenever and wherever he was needed.”

“He’s truly a child’s advocate,” she said.

Joe Warren, pastor of Athens’ First Presbyterian Church, and a former CASA director, also received special recognition.

Kim Johnson, a CASA casework supervisor, said anything Warren touches “turns to gold.”

“He loves people, and that’s why he’s so successful,” Johnson said.

Vickie Sussen, another casework supervisor, said, “I really truly, truly respect Joe. He taught me about kindness, to always look for kindness in people.”

On CASA of Trinity Valley’s 15th anniversary, the organization honored its original board members, of which there are seven: Lisa Boykin; Pam Douglas; Kay Huggins Moore; Ginger Kirk; Jeanette King; Laverne Smith; and Betty Weaks.

Moore, King and Weaks were in attendance, and were each given a special award.

“It’s these seven people who breathed life into CASA,” Millender said, “who made it into what it is today.”

And the organization — which provides trained adult volunteers to “give a voice” to abused and neglected children in court and in foster care systems — is definitely on the grow. CASA of Trinity Valley, which opened its doors in 1994, was serving 54 children annually by the summer of 1997. But since 2001, it has trained 150 volunteers and served 1,454 children — of which 1,200 have been placed in safe, permanent homes.

Volunteers of the Year were Marita Giles (Henderson County), Nima West (Anderson County) and Becky Mascott (Cherokee County). Rookies of the Year were Bobby and Emma Ward and Gidget Gardner.

Volunteers who have closed cases in 2009 were also honored as “Shining Stars” and given awards. The Shining Stars were Gary Chasey; Catherine Clark; Elaine Cole; Betty Dublin; Alice Feemster; Mary Fitch; Marita Giles; Midge Going; Betty Gott; Peggy Harper; Don Houston; Ethel Johns; Jan Jones; Michael Keener; Candy Landis; Rebecca Mascott; Kay Miller; Sally Miller; Sandy Molander; Allyson Monk-Arnold; Deborah Riggins; Ann Rogers; Jack Stone; Jessie Thorn; Catherine Wallace; Bobby and Emma Ward; Nima West; Jean Wicker; Suzy Williams; and Karen Zwigart.

Others honored Thursday night were:

CPS — Susan Oxford; Julia Booth

ATTORNEYS — Lauren Melhart (assistant DA, Henderson County); Elizabeth Watkins (Anderson County District Attorney’s Office); Dana Young (Cherokee County attorney)

LAW ENFORCEMENT — Kevin Hanes (Henderson County Sheriff’s Department)

MEDIA — Jayson Larson (Athens Daily Review); Gary Connor (Palestine Herald-Press)

Current CASA Board of Directors are Mary Lou Williams (president); Karen Parsons (vice president); Steve Moore (treasurer); Eston Williams (secretary); Lee Brown; Robert Gonzalez; Billie Hopson; Jessica Lopez; Nelda Tillison; and Chris Tinsley.

CASA staff, along with Millender, Sussen and Johnson, includes Betty Witherspoon (casework supervisor, Cherokee County); Jessica Dollgener (casework supervisor, Cherokee County); Carolyn Barnett (volunteer recruiter/trainer); Rhonda Malone (office manager); and Lisa Reeves (administrative assistant).

For more information about how to serve with CASA, call (903) 675-7070.

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