Page 22 - August 2020 Issue.indd

CASA serve and protect the children in the Caroline County Foster
Care System.
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Over the past ten years, Gerry has advocated on behalf of eight
CASA Volunteer Gerry Warner different children, all between the ages of one and four. “I fi nd it

a joy because I’ve always loved children and I get to meet lots of
interesting people!” exclaimed Warner. She truly has a passion
When you ask somebody to name their favorite superhero,
they might say Superman or Black Panther or Wonder Woman. for helping children in need. Even on her initial application ten
At CASA of Caroline, one of our favorite superheroes is Geral- years ago she wrote, “I have always had a special place in my
dine “Gerry” Warner, who has been a CASA volunteer since heart for children and I always want to help when they need
2010 when she was sworn in by then Circuit Court Judge, help.” And she believes we all, as a society, have a responsibility

The Honorable Karen Murphy Jensen. So, we would like to to help children and families in need. “Neighbors should help
recognize Gerry in our Volunteer Spotlight and thank her for out neighbors in a time of need. When you see a situation, talk
her ten years of commitment to CASA of Caroline and our to the people involved to see if it can be worked out.”
county’s children! She also has a passion for creating healthy family environ-
ments. One of her greatest parenting philosophies is to “always
Geraldine’s decision to become a volunteer was made aft er
attending a Pathfinder meeting at her church, Mt. Carmel make the home a peaceful place to live”. She believes parents
Seventh Day Adventist in the Spring of 2010. She heard several should be there for their children at all times; be involved in
children complaining about their homelives. She felt powerless their educations, make time for conversations, provide a safe
and decided she wanted to be involved in helping children, environment, and most importantly, be a role model! Luckily
but wasn’t quite sure how. Shortly thereaft er, she was walk- for us and the children of Caroline County, Gerry is a great role
ing up Market Street and saw the CASA offi ces. That was her model in her church, her community and at CASA.

lightbulb moment. “I decided that children need more people Gerry also strives to make her own home a safe, peaceful
to work to help them get into the best possible environment.” environment for her and her 15-year-old grandson who has
So, she applied to become a volunteer, completed the 30-hour been in her custody since infancy. The custodial process
pre-service training program, and was sworn under oath to she went through with her grandson and the Department of
Social Services gave her an inside look at the lengthy court
proceedings many children face when their biological parents

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