Dawn Barnes, a dedicated Goochland/Powhatan Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2016, has made a significant impact on numerous families and children through her work. Throughout her tenure, she has handled five cases involving seven children. "She is a super-CASA" says Renae Townsend, her case supervisor. "Her strength lies in field-work" she adds. "Dawn does an amazing job pursuing all sides of a case in order to create an extremely comprehensive CASA report."
When Dawn reflects on her many years of experience as a CASA, her best memories is when a child she assisted performed a ballet dance during a visit. Dawn actively encourages individuals interested in becoming CASA volunteers, stressing the positive impact advocacy can have on children. "Being part of the solution and bringing hope for a better future is both fulfilling and rewarding," she says. One of Dawn's best memories is during an instance when she witnessed a judge enforcing the recommendations a CASA made. This tangible difference volunteers can make in neglected and abused children's lives makes it all worth it!
Outside of her CASA duties, Dawn enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, reading, and engaging in household projects. A fascinating fact about Dawn is that she has had the opportunity to see the queen of England.
In addition to her volunteer work, Dawn works as a school bus driver for Goochland County Public Schools and is deeply committed to homeschooling her son. Dawn's passion for helping children extends beyond her role as a CASA, demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact in various aspects of her life.