CASA’s Susan Piggott Named “Volunteer of the Year”

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Caroline, Inc.Volunteer Advocate Susan Piggott was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Caroline  Human Services Council “for making an outstanding contribution to Communities that Support Family Life.”  

In further recognition of her efforts, she will be presented, Nov. 4, with a Governor’s Service Award from the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism for “making a significant volunteer contributions to the life and health of the State and its people during 2012.”

A former speech-language pathologist, special educator and principal in Louisiana and the District of Columbia, Piggott had been an advocate for children for 35 years.

“The idea of volunteer advocacy was a natural step for me,” she said. “When I moved to the Eastern Shore in 2009, the first thing I did was call CASA of Caroline, and they welcomed me into their outstanding group of advocates.”

“My training was stringent and inspiring, and I couldn’t wait for my first case. When I was assigned to a child who had been severely abused, I had a moment of doubt, wondering whether I could do this job.  But when I met the child, I quickly realized how much she needed me. She gave me the courage I needed to stand up for her, and I never looked back.”

Now having served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for five children (in two families), Piggott describes the process as follows:

“CASA volunteering is like unraveling a mystery. Over the course of months and sometimes years, the advocate observes and meets with foster children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, social workers, teachers, counselors, therapists and attorneys. The story unfolds until, after deep listening and vigilant observation, it gradually becomes clear what is in the best interest of the child. After that, it is easy and gratifying to stand up for what is right for the child. The best part is seeing it through to the end, watching the child begin a new life, full of potential and possibility.”

And her work definitely makes a difference in the lives of these children.

“Susan Piggott exemplifies a high level of ethics and respect for their role as a CASA; she demonstrates exceptional diligence and persistence in representing the child’s best interests to the court, and she promotes and supports CASA of Caroline within in the community,” said Jennifer Rinehart, executive director of CASA of Caroline, Inc. “We are proud to have Susan as one of our 21 trained CASA volunteer advocates.”

When she’s not advocating for children, the Easton resident spends her days as volunteer coordinator at the Talbot Hospice Foundation and her leisure time with her husband and their two grown daughters – one a teacher and the other a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for foster children.

Hoping to inspire others to follow her lead and volunteer with CASA, Piggott says: “If you love kids, love a challenge and love hands-on volunteering, CASA may be for you. It takes courage and persistence to be a good CASA, but the rewards are huge.” She concludes: “My vision is that every child who needs a CASA will have one. Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe and loved.”

About CASA of Caroline, Inc.

CASA of Caroline is a not-for-profit agency that provides trained volunteers – Court Appointed Special Advocates – for the abused and neglected children of CarolineCounty.  CASA volunteers work with the child, his/her family, teachers, social workers and attorney to ensure that a safe and permanent home is secured for the child in the shortest time possible.

Spearheaded by retired Circuit Court Judge J. Owen Wise, who had seen firsthand the positive results of CASA advocacy, CASA of Caroline was started by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need for someone to watch out for the best interests of foster children. CASA of Caroline became operational in September 2003 and is one of 15 CASA programs in the state and more than 900 nationally. For more information, visit www.carolinecasa.org.

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