Volunteer of the Month May 2025

I am honored to nominate Mary Alford as the Volunteer of the Month for May 2025. Mary completed her new volunteer training in January 2025 and accepted her first case in February.

You may be asking, "Who is Mary?" Well, you might have met this beautiful soul and her late husband while visiting Alford Safe and Lock in Baton Rouge, LA, for key replacements.

Mary brings a wealth of experience to her role, not only as a mother to three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren but also through her extensive life experiences, which have equipped her to advocate for the best interests of the children she serves. Specifically, 7-year-old female Harper and 4-year-old male Jack.

Harper and Jack entered foster care two years ago due to neglect and drug/alcohol abuse. While they achieved permanency through reunification, it is unfortunate that they had to return to foster care. From the moment she took on this case, Mary immediately began completing tasks outlined in the first-month case action plan. All parties involved, including the children's biological caregivers, have expressed how wonderful it is to work with Mary. Mary’s dedication and outgoing demeanor have even earned her recognition from the Judge for her commitment to advocating for the best interests of Harper and Jack.

In the four months she has been assigned to this case, Mary has advocated tirelessly for Harper and Jack’s mental health, educational, and dental needs. When the Judge ordered additional supervised visits for the parents, Mary quickly assisted in developing a plan with the DCFS case manager and the grandparents. She now observes the children's weekly visits with their parents, ensuring that she provides a second set of eyes and can monitor the interactions closely. Mary ensures that her case is always up to date in the database, attends meetings and court hearings promptly, and, most importantly, advocates for Harper and Jack’s best interests at every turn.

Mary’s willingness to reach out when she needs support and her consistent commitment to the children’s well-being make her an invaluable member of the CASA team. Without a doubt, I can rely on Mary to complete any advocacy task.

Mary’s dedication to her role as a CASA is inspiring, and I am proud to work alongside her. She is an absolute ASSET to our program, and I am grateful to have her as part of this journey.

Proud Advocate Supervisor,

Rachelle M. Smith