21-04-2025
CI Hero: McLean County woman helps children navigate court system
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — In light of child abuse prevention month, a McLean County woman makes it her mission to aid kids moving through the county's court system with support.
'We are really able to be a stable, consistent person in their journey,' said Kelly Schwamberger, CASA volunteer in McLean County.
For the last four years, Schwamberger advocates and supports children as she volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for McLean County. The organization has existed for 30 years and has provided services to more than 3,900 children. In 2024, there were 114 active volunteers.
She said this work can change generations for the better.
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'In the world today, there's a lot of hard stuff that we feel it's out of our control to do anything to change, but this is a way that we can make an impact in our community by walking alongside a family or a child and really seeing an outcome that changes perhaps generations,' said Schwamberger.
This month, she was nominated for the Illinois CASA Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award. Her supervisor said he's impressed by her dedication and commitment.
'She's very coordinated,' said Jeff Ehrmantraut. 'She is very vocal on what she likes and what she advocates for the kids and she's on top of it.'
She's also the co-founder of Allies Against Trafficking, which highlights human trafficking right here at home.
CASA program expands into Logan County
'We want to bring knowledge and awareness of human trafficking here in McLean County and then also prevention by providing education and how people can be groomed and scenarios what they really look like, not what TV and movies make it seem like,' said Schwamberger.
She received the Bronze Award for the President's Volunteer Service Award. This distinction followed 140 hours of service for 2024.
'You can see a child thrive in their area,' said Schwamberger. 'It is beneficial to is a case when you can have eyes on the situation, maybe identify something that a child needs, and get that service for them or help them get over that difficult parts. I really hope is that someone that sees this will think inside, 'this is maybe something that I can do.' They'll either look for some more information or volunteer and become a CASA. That's what that's the outcome that I want.'
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