M Streets resident answers the call

By Rosanne Lewis

Longtime M Streets resident Lisa Ryan developed powerful advocacy skills while caring for her aging parents in their final years.

When she picked up a brochure at Dallas CASA’s annual Parade of Playhouses event at NorthPark Center, she wondered if those advocacy skills might translate to working with children.

“I am single and don’t have children of my own, so I didn’t think CASA was an obvious fit,” she said. “But after going through advocating for my parents through late-in-life medical issues, I came to realize those same skills could be used in other ways.”

Something about Dallas CASA’s volunteer program, which assigns community volunteers to advocate on behalf of children in protective custody, called to her.

“Once I attended an information session, the need was just too compelling not to go forward with an application,” she said.

In 2020, Dallas CASA’s 1,527 volunteers advocated for 3,374 Dallas County children who had been removed from unsafe homes and placed into the protective care of the state. These children have experienced abuse or neglect, and they are navigating an overburdened child welfare system. For many children, their Dallas CASA volunteer is the only constant adult during an uncertain time.

After 30 hours of training and courtroom observation, Lisa accepted her first case: a baby born addicted to drugs right after Christmas.

“Honestly? My first thought was ‘Can I do this?’” she said. “But my supervisor was right there for me, orienting me and focusing me and guiding me where I needed to go.”

Now, after retiring from a 25-year globe-trotting career at Celanese Corporation, Ryan uses her skills to advocate for children. She’s found things like being calm in a crisis and staying team-focused help the most as she’s navigated seven cases since 2015. She works closely with Child Protective Services, attorneys, the child’s family and other stakeholders on each case, and she advocates for the child’s educational, therapeutic and medical needs.

“One thing all the children notice is when you show up. A lot of them don’t have anyone in their lives,” she said. “One of my CASA kids said in court ‘My CASA is the only person who always answers the phone when I call.’”

For more information on how you can get involved, visit dallascasa.org.