Marie Allen’s dedication and compassion make a lasting impact on children and families in need through CASA advocacy.
Meet Marie Allen…Advocate of the Month for November. Marie has a big heart for the little people in her life and it shows in the way she advocates for them. Marie has been an advocate with our program since February 2024, and she was a CASA elsewhere before moving to Huntsville.
The case Marie is assigned to is complicated and highly emotional, and we cannot overstate the amount of support and encouragement she has provided to the family along the way. While being supportive of the family, she has also kept the best interests of the children foremost in her mind. She has continuously pointed out to all parties when the children needed something different than they were getting, whether it involved counseling services, educational services, or placement concerns. Marie has gone above and beyond in her advocacy by regularly conversing with her supervisor, keeping CPS and attorneys updated, visiting the children multiple times per month in various settings, and spending hours each month talking with, and listening to, the caregivers.
Thanks to Marie’s persistence, this family, and one of the children in particular, are finally being heard and CPS is taking action to accommodate their special circumstances. It has been an emotionally taxing process, but Marie can be proud of the part she has played in getting them the help they need.
Throughout her time on the case, Marie has been open to suggestions, willing to listen to the thoughts and ideas of others, and has been a team player in every sense of the word. Her work is not over; in fact, in some ways it has just begun. It is comforting to know that Marie is committed to seeing this case through to its conclusion. These children have someone in their corner who will always stand up for what is right for them, and that is indeed a powerful notion.
We at CASA are extremely thankful for Marie and advocates like her who are willing to give so much of themselves for hurting children and families in crisis. Marie is a Difference Maker and a blessing to our program.
About CASA
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity Counties is a nonprofit organization that provides trained, court-appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the child welfare system. These dedicated volunteers work to ensure that each child has a safe, permanent, and nurturing home by representing their needs in court and collaborating with families, caregivers, and legal professionals. Since its establishment, CASA has been committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families in crisis. For more information or to get involved, visit casaofwalkercounty.org.