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About Us

Empowering children. Inspiring change.

CASA of Calhoun County is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. As a local program of the national CASA/GAL network, we empower trained volunteers to be a steady, reliable voice for children navigating the child welfare and court systems.

WHAT DO WE DO?

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Our mission is to provide volunteer advocacy within the court system and the community on behalf of children in the foster care system who have experienced abuse and neglect. We are committed to serving every child we can, regardless of race, background, or identity, because we believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent home where they can thrive.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Volunteering your time or donating to CASA of Calhoun County helps provide a powerful voice for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates support children throughout the court process, ensuring their needs are heard and their best interests are prioritized. By giving your time as a trained advocate or contributing financially, you help CASA offer stability, guidance, and hope to some of the community’s most vulnerable children. Your support directly impacts their safety, well-being, and future.

VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteers undergo extensive training on trauma, child development, child welfare, advocacy, DEI, and the court system. Volunteers are matched with a supervisory staff who provides ongoing mentorship and support. They are then sworn in as court officers and intentionally matched with a child or sibling group, whom they meet weekly for the entire court case. Volunteers receive a court order that gives them access to all information pertaining to the child. This is unique to this position, as no other role entrusts volunteers or paid individuals outside of the child welfare system.

Meet the Team

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Josita Todd

CASA CC Board Chair

About Josita I'm from Battle Creek, Calhoun County. And as I reflect on growing up in Calhoun County and how the spirit of community support has evolved. My memories of neighbors acting as advocates and role models paint a beautiful picture of a connected past. I see a powerful connection between that past and the mission of CASA CC today. In times of uncertainty and adversity, having trained community volunteers to advocate for children in the court system is incredibly valuable. My personal journey, from being helped as a child to now having the time and passion to give back after retiring from corporate America, is an inspiring testament to the enduring importance of helping our children.

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Bronwyn Drost

CASA CC Board Vice Chair

About Bronwyn As an economic and workforce development consultant, I help businesses and nonprofits build stronger communities across the state. My early career in child welfare inspired a lifelong commitment to advocating for vulnerable children who deserve extra support as they thrive and grow, making it a true honor to serve on Calhoun County CASA's inaugural board.

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Robin Rogers

ELDP

About Robin Robin Rogers is a Program Manager of the Level 1 Enterprise Leader Development Program (ELDP) for Defense Logistics Agency with an office at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. Throughout her federal career with the Department of Defense, Robin has established programs that serve community and military families, provided advocacy, outreach and education, and supported leadership. Robin served as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and victim advocate for 7 years. In her current role as a Program Manager in the DLA Learner Development & Readiness Branch, Robin provides program administration and curriculum development to cultivate the leadership skills of DLA employees across the world-wide enterprise. Mrs. Rogers enjoys serving families and children as an active volunteer in the local community. She is a member of the Battle Creek Optimist Club, and volunteers as a foster care and kinship advocate. She also serves as a board member for the Family Enrichment Center in Battle Creek. In addition, Robin volunteers as a certified Emergency Medical Responder for the Medical Response Team at the federal center. Robin is a native Michigander and resides with her husband, Zak, and three grandchildren on a small farm in Bellevue, Michigan. They are currently licensed for foster care by Calhoun County DHHS. In her personal time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and finding treasures at thrift stores and estate sales. Her most favored pastime is being at home on the Jolly Rogers Farm with family, friends, and her Scottish Highland cattle.

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Teresa Blowers

Branch Manager

About Teresa Raised by a single mother and a supportive "village" in Battle Creek, I learned early on that success is a collective effort. This foundational belief has guided my 33-year career in the financial industry—from my first days as a teller to my current role helping families and individuals secure their futures. Financial literacy is the key to lasting freedom. Having spent over three decades navigating the complexities of the financial world, my greatest pride is empowering others to take control of their wealth and build a legacy for their own "villages." When I’m not helping clients, I am a dedicated wife of 28 years, a mother, and a proud grandmother. Whether it’s my two grandsons, my 12 Godchildren, or my community at large, I remain committed to the philosophy that shaped me: It truly takes a village to raise a child—and it takes a dedicated partner to help that village thrive financially.

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Adela Leonard

LMSW 

About Adela I’m a licensed mental health therapist and adult adoptee committed to justice and child advocacy. My CASA work is driven by empathy, lived experience, and a belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

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J.R. Reynolds

Author

About J.R. J.R. is a leadership coach and social justice consultant. His debut book is Something Bigger Than Ourselves: Essays on the Complexities of Race in America. He is Board President of The Arc of Calhoun County, co-founded an elementary school reading program, has four children and enjoys running.

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Cheryl F. Roberts

Retiree & Community Volunteer

About Cheryl Cheryl F. Roberts is a passionate advocate and dedicated volunteer in the Battle Creek community, guided by a strong commitment to service and civic engagement—and an appreciation for weekday matinee movies at 2:00 p.m. She dedicated 32 years to the Consumer Affairs Department at the Kellogg Company before retiring in 2010. Retirement did not slow her down— it simply created more time for community volunteering and for strategic shopping trips where nothing is bought at full price unless there’s a coupon involved. She is a board member of the Battle Creek Central High School Alumni Association and a distinguished Hall of Fame inductee. As she proudly says, “Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat”. Cheryl has been a driving force behind efforts to expand and enhance programming for older adults at the Kool Family Community Center. She is a Calhoun County Senior Ambassador with Calhoun County Senior Services, advocating for senior millage funded programs and championing the needs of older adults across the county. Committed to supporting vulnerable children, Cheryl served on the steering committee that helped establish CASA in Calhoun County. Her work reflects a deep belief that children deserve to be heard, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive. Her volunteer service also includes Battle Creek Public Schools, the NAACP Battle Creek Branch, Mt. Zion AME Church and numerous community initiatives. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

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Terrence Lytle

Certificate Peer Support Specialist and Recovery Coach

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