Jessica graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She was born and raised in Marshall County. Jessica began volunteering with CASA by the Lakes during her time at Murray State and continued to do so over the course of several years. She is so excited to be a full-time staff member and help support CASA’s mission! When she isn’t working, Jessica loves to spend time with her husband and little girl, travel, and try new restaurants with friends.

Jessica can be reached at jlfoust.casa@gmail.com

Julia graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, focusing on Gender and Diversity Studies and Cultural Studies. Born in New Orleans, Julia has also lived in Denver, CO, and Buffalo, NY before landing in Murray. She was drawn to CASA because she saw that it’s more than just another case, it’s a child’s life! Julia loves to travel both locally and abroad when she isn’t working. She also enjoys spending time outside and is currently learning to cook!

Julia can be reached at jkeleher.casa@gmail.com

Kelsie graduated from Murray State University with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communication Media. She was born and raised in Pleasureville, KY. She was drawn to CASA due to the program’s diligent efforts to help abused and neglected children. When she is not working she loves to spend time playing video games, fishing, and with friends and family.

Kelsie can be reached at kwatson.casa@gmail.com.

Natalie graduated from Murray State with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a minor in Sociology. Natalie was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky before landing in Murray. She was drawn to CASA because she found a passion for advocacy through volunteering. Natalie volunteered in a domestic violence shelter through high school and college. She is grateful for the incredible relationship that she had with her volunteer coordinator. Natalie enjoys going on walks at the Arboretum and hanging out with friends and family. Natalie also enjoys Pearl Jam, college basketball, reading a Jodi Picoult novel, and listening to podcasts. 

Natalie can be reached at ncopeland.casa@gmail.com

Board Members

Are you interested in joining CASA by the Lakes Board? If you are interested or know someone interested feel free to email us at casaprmurray@gmail.com.

How did the CASA movement begin?

In 1977, Superior Court Judge David Soukup of Seattle, WA saw a recurring problem in his courtroom: “In criminal and civil cases, even though there were always many different points of view, you walked out of the courthouse at the end of the day and you said, ‘I’ve done my best; I can live with this decision,’ he explained.

“But when you’re involved with a child, and you’re trying to decide what to do to facilitate that child’s growth into a mature and happy adult, you don’t feel like you have the sufficient information to allow you to make the right decision. You can’t walk away and leave them at the courthouse at 4 o’clock. You wonder ‘Do I really know everything I should? Have I really been told all of the different things? Is this really right?”

Concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information, the Seattle judge conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom – an idea that would change America’s judicial procedure and the lives of over a million children.

Today, the CASA program has grown into a network of nearly 1,000 advocate and guardian ad litem programs that recruit, train and support volunteers across the country.