THE MARCH ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH IS:
TOM TYRRELL
Tom is steadfast, calm, and consistent. He has been one of the only stable things for the three children he serves, especially the two teens in his case. Throughout the case his older teens have had a hard time working through their trauma. While they haven’t always made the right choices, Tom continues to show up and encourage them that they can be better than their past choices. The teens in his case have lived a harder life than most and appreciate how honest and direct he is with them even when what he has to say isn’t what they’d like to hear. He has a great balance of compassion and accountability when talking to them. Because of this and his frequent calls and visits the children have been able to make progress in areas and trust him.
Countless times Tom has worked hard to engage stakeholders and service providers to make sure his children have safe placements and the services they need. Even if they can be difficult to set up for one reason or another, Tom doesn’t let up until their needs are met. If it’s a need Tom can’t directly meet then he is in frequent contact with attorneys, case workers, and other stakeholders until the need has been met. He’s ensured the children not only have their placement and emotional needs met, but also sentimental and practical items likes clothes, shoes, school supplies and more stay with the children when they move placements. He is a natural leader whose demeanor commands attention. When he speaks, people listen and action is then taken.
When his oldest child ended up in jail Tom still didn’t give up and talked to him every day, showed up to court hearings, encouraged him and made sure the young man didn’t feel alone. When we say a CASA advocate is a child’s one consistent person in their journey through foster care, Tom lives this out wholeheartedly. He shows up time and time again even when it’s inconvenient because he knows his CASA kids need him and we are incredibly grateful for his dedication to his CASA children and the CASA mission.