Business Success Speaker, Alligator Sallie recognized as Volunteer of the Year in Louisiana
Louisiana Keynote Speaker, Alligator Sallie believes in giving back! She believes that none of us got to where we are today without help from someone along the way – that’s why she is an avid Volunteer for organizations like the American Red Cross, Volunteers for Youth Justice and CASA. And, just like in business, when Sallie does something, she “Goes the Extra Mile.”
Earlier this year, the Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) recognized her for her dedicated service as a CASA Volunteer. The VYJ program oversees 8 different outreach programs with 600-plus volunteers serving over 1,500 children. Every year they choose a volunteer from each program to honor for their dedication and commitment to helping the children in their program. This year, however, they did something different…..they created a special award never given before – the Volunteer for Youth Justice “Volunteer of the Year” Award, recognizing Alligator Sallie for her outstanding service in going above and beyond to not only support the children she serves, but also VYJ as a whole.
After receiving the award presented by Kelli Todd, Executive Director of Volunteers for Youth Justice, Sallie shared her thoughts with us, “I was totally surprised when they called my name! Yes, I’ve had some cases with unique challenges, but I feel blessed and honored to work with these children. We all have times in our lives when we need someone and many of these children feel very alone. At the end of the day, I want them to know I’m on their side. That said, I know all the volunteers handle challenging situations while advocating for their children – some days it’s a tough job that can really break your heart.
I am proud to work with the CASA organization and believe in all of their hard work. I can’t overstress the importance of the program and its need of additional volunteers to support the growing need in the community.”
According to her local CASA office, last year there were over 600 children in need of a volunteer and only 495 available volunteers.
What is CASA?
Every day in this country, 1,900 children become victims of abuse or neglect, and four of them will die. Every day. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a network of 951 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities. Volunteer advocates—empowered directly by the courts—offer judges the critical information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being addressed while in foster care.
Volunteers stay with children until they are placed in loving permanent homes. For many abused children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives.
To find a CASA program in your area, visit http://www.casaforchildren.org/
And Click on Volunteering
Your Tour Guide to Success,
Alligator Sallie
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