2013 National CASA Child Advocate of the Year
Program: Los Angeles County CASA,
Location: Monterey Park, CA
In her nine years of volunteering with CASA of Los Angeles, Alison Wilcox has passionately advocated for, and changed, the lives of 10 children. When she first joined CASA, Alison was a recent retiree looking to give back to the community using skills she had developed as an administrator.
One of those children was Tammi, a special needs child confined to a wheelchair and also unable to verbally communicate. Alison was appointed as an advocate for Tammi four years ago. Through getting to know Tammi and her needs, Alison realized that Tammi’s foot muscles were her strongest and most coordinated. Alison looked into a potential communication device operated by feet, and within 10 minutes of using the device, Tammi was able to start communicating her wants and needs. Alison advocated for Tammi, tackling challenges like this along the way, and Tammi has since been adopted into a loving home.
Said one judicial officer: “Alison let no one forget this child’s needs. She made sure that she didn’t fall through the cracks. I am convinced that absent Alison’s efforts, Tammi would still be in an institution where just her medical needs were being met. Instead, Tammi now lives with a family who loves her and is just waiting to adopt her.”
For her many accomplishments and contributions toward improving the lives of abused and neglected children, Alison is being recognized as of one the “35 Faces of CASA,” individuals and organizations whose actions tell the story of the CASA movement.
Watch Alison’s award acceptance speech at the National CASA Annual Conference in April.