Volunteer of the Month November 2025

It is with pleasure that I present CASA Advocate Jenee Esquivel as the November 2025 Volunteer of the Month at CASA. Jenee completed pre-service training on July 12, 2024. She accepted her first case involving a sibling group of six children, aged 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 14. Due to this being a large sibling group, Jenee and her co-CASA decided that Jenee would take the boys and her co-CASA the girls. Both CASAs begin to immediately collaborate and arrange sibling visits to assist the case manager. Jenee, however, took a particular interest in the oldest male child, Max, who was 14 years old and had been severely abused by his mother. Jenee, within days of being assigned, met with the paternal grandparents, Max, and the DCFS case manager. She would provide invaluable enrichment resources, such as culinary arts, and even assist Max in preparing dinner for the family on her monthly visits. It was truly amazing to hear how the child, who loved cooking, began to open up to Jenee and saw her not only as his CASA but a good friend. Jenee also met with school personnel, supported his decision to join the football team, and would even pick him up from practices, all while completing the tasks presented to her as his advocate. As a new CASA, I witnessed Jenee take on this case as if she had been a CASA for 5 years or more! It was truly impressive, and at times, it forced me to “catch up” to the commitment she had not only for Max but for the family. She identified issues that needed addressing early on with a clear and deliberate advocacy style that allowed this young man to flourish. One by one, the children began to be permanently placed with either their parents or other relatives. Max was the last to achieve permanency through guardianship with his grandparents. When his portion of the case ended, Jenee still maintained a close connected relationship with Max and family. He finished the semester with a 4.0 GPA and began working by washing cars and cutting grass to earn enough money for a trip to Tulum, Mexico, with his friends. She immediately began organizing her friends to support this endeavor. Jenee has been an advocate, statesperson, salesperson, confidant, supporter, and cheerleader all for this young man, and I am truly grateful to have her as a CASA Advocate. For these and many other reasons, I honor Jenee Esquivel as CASA's November 2025 Volunteer of the Month.

Proud Advocate Supervisor,

Tony J. Pryer

*All case names changed for confidentiality reasons*