Volunteer Spotlight -
Lyn Vetter
“This is needed. Yes, it can be challenging, but it’s extremely rewarding and the training and support are outstanding. The qualities of a successful advocate include empathy for people in different situations, remaining unbiased, and being creative when it comes to interacting with children.”
This month, we wanted to highlight someone who embodies Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dedication to service. CASA volunteer, Lyn Vetter, is just one of our volunteers who spends her time volunteering at multiple community organizations. Outside of CASA, Lyn volunteers with NO1hungryinEHC and Angela’s on the Avenue.
Lyn loves working with children, and three decades in education just wasn’t enough! Upon retiring in 2017, Lyn wanted to find a way to continue her involvement with youth, and she was pleased to have found this opportunity with CASA for Children. During her thirty-two years in Atlantic County’s Mullica Township Schools, Lyn served in many roles, as a teacher in the middle school, working in the special education department, and joining and eventually leading the Child Study Team.
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Her leadership position in the Study Team prepared her for her future volunteer role here at CASA. Initially serving as an advocate for her first year, Lyn then completed training to become a Peer Coach. In this role, she now oversees seven other volunteers who are advocating for twelve children. She enjoys connecting with all parties in the case as well as all the new people she gets to meet. Her favorite part of the process is seeing the children achieve permanency at the end of the case, both through reunification and adoption. Lyn values the stability provided by the advocates she supervises and the connections they all have with the children. Even after the cases end, she has been deeply moved by the children who stay in contact by sending notes and photos.
To those thinking about becoming an advocate, Lyn said, “This is needed. Yes, it can be challenging, but it’s extremely rewarding and the training and support are outstanding. The qualities of a successful advocate include empathy for people in different situations, remaining unbiased, and being creative when it comes to interacting with children.”
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A note from Lyn’s Program Coordinator, Kayla Newsome-Cobbs, “Lyn currently carries one of the highest caseloads of all of my Peer Coaches, yet she has created personal relationships with each of the advocates she supports. She approaches each case through a human-centered and race equity lens that she acquired not only from being a stellar individual, but from her years of service with CASA, and knowledge and experience from a lengthy career working with children in special education. Lyn has a huge heart and puts her all into supporting the advocacy efforts for the children and families we serve!"