THE JULY ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH is:
tom tyrrell
Our Advocate of the Month for July is Tom Tyrrell, a dedicated CASA volunteer whose commitment to the children in his case has been nothing short of extraordinary. Tom is currently working on a case involving three children, two of whom are teenagers carrying heavy emotional burdens. Despite the complexities of their trauma, Tom has gone above and beyond to ensure they feel heard, supported, and understood. His unwavering efforts to meet their needs and advocate for their well-being are impressive to all around including other stakeholders in the case who have recognized his efforts and success.
Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case with older youth in foster care, two of the children have run away. But even this setback has not deterred Tom from his mission. Despite the challenges, Tom has remained a steadfast presence for these children, keeping the lines of communication open even when they refuse to share their whereabouts. He continues to reach out, offering support and encouragement in hopes of guiding them back to safety, and tirelessly ensuring that their basic needs are met as best as he can and trying to get fast food gift cards to them somehow to make sure they are eating.
Tom’s dedication doesn’t stop at the children. He has worked relentlessly with every agency involved, providing updates, asking the tough questions, and pushing forward in the search to reunite the children with the support they need. His determination to leave no stone unturned is a testament to his deep care and commitment to these young lives.
When you sign up to be a CASA advocate, you never truly know the twists and turns your case will take. What we do know is that Tom has shown us the true meaning of advocacy: selfless, persistent, and above all, compassionate. We are deeply grateful for Tom’s continued dedication to helping the children in his care, and we are proud to honor him as our Advocate of the Month.