Meet CASA Volunteer Susan!

Meet Susan Joslyn!

Susan Joslyn and her husband have been happily married for 13 years, having known each other for more than a decade before tying the knot. Together, they share a loving family that includes her son, daughter-in-law, and their three rescued black labs, Tug, Hank, and Max. The family resides in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicagoland.

Susan dedicated 28 years to teaching elementary art in the Springfield school district, a career she cherished deeply. “I loved working with children and fellow teachers who became my extended family,” she recalls. “Teaching young children and building on their interest in art was a wonderful job.” After her retirement, she continued her passion for art education by becoming “Miss Mini Monet” for the Springfield Arts Council’s preschool program, Mini Monet Mondays, where she taught preschoolers from Head Start schools for five years.

Beyond her professional life, Susan enjoys gardening, growing flowers, and being outdoors. The Nature Center is her second home, where she walks six days a week with a group of friends. Her love for nature has taken her on hikes through Echo Bluff State Park and Sedona, Arizona. Susan and her husband are also very active in their church, Brentwood Christian, where they advocate for Community, Justice, and Love.

Susan’s journey with CASA began 16 years ago after seeing a PSA advertisement on television. “I thought it would be a wonderful way to stay involved with children,” she says. Since then, she has seen the closing and reunification of her 12th case. Her experience as a CASA has shown her the vital role consistency plays in the lives of children in foster care. “The children’s case manager, GAL, and foster family may change several times, but it is the consistency of CASA that brings familiarity, friendship, and a sense of safety to the children,” Susan explains.

Susan’s dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact on the lives of many children. “There have been some cases I have felt a deep connection with, but with each case, I felt my time was meaningful and important to the wellbeing of each child,” she shares. “If you enjoy working with children, you will find advocating for children in foster care very rewarding.”

Susan Joslyn’s story is a testament to the difference one person can make in the lives of children, inspiring others to consider becoming a CASA volunteer.