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Volunteer Spotlight: David Nelson
David Nelson, 2nd District GAL Program, is one of Minnesota Justice Foundation’s 2015 Outstanding Service Award Winners! On Wednesday, November 11, MJF hosted its Annual Awards Celebration, at which outstanding individuals in the Minnesota legal community were honored. David, a law student at Hamline University School of Law, was named the Law Student Award Winner. David volunteered over 200 service hours with the goal of increasing access to justice for disadvantaged individuals.
David completed Pre-Service training and took his first guardian ad litem case assignment on October 15, 2015. David has found the greatest reward so far in seeing the smiles on children’s faces despite their dire circumstances. He has also enjoyed the opportunity to ensure that their best interests are protected through his advocacy.
As for challenges, David quickly found himself in the middle of some trying family dynamics that hurled him squarely in the center of their conflict. He found it stressful at first, but successfully figured out how to keep his personal opinions at bay and to deal with the situation at hand.
Does he have a success story to share?
David recently had a positive experience in making a recommendation that was endorsed by the judge. He advocated that a parent on his case be ordered to undergo hair follicle testing to verify her sobriety. David had noted several concerns that caused him to doubt her sobriety despite other negative test results. The judge concurred with him and ordered that the hair follicle test be completed.
If you had a magic wand, what would you change?
David would like all children to have loving, caring, supportive parents so that they would never have to enter the child protection system.
Favorite book . . .
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne
Kusek Receives Significant Community Honor
Shown at the award ceremony: Laurie’s son, Tom Gendron; significant other, Rick Maday; Laurie Kusek, 4th District; Dana Ahlness, 2nd District; and Mike Tikkinan, CASA Minnesota Board member.
Congratulations to our very own Laurie Kusek, Board President of CASA Minnesota for receiving one of Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary’s most significant annual awards, the John Fischer Rotary Hope Award.
The Hope Award, the highest honor that the Club presents each year to a community member, was given to Laurie for her volunteer leadership. Since 1987, the Rotary Hope Award has been given annually to a person or nonprofit organization that is making a significant difference in the lives of others through unique dedication and passion.
Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary is comprised of more than 120 local business and industry leaders. Laurie was unanimously declared the deserving winner of this prestigious award. Kudos to Laurie for all of her work with CASA MN in supporting the recruitment, training and retention of volunteer guardians ad litem.
A Woman to be Admired: Marilyn Karasov
Hats off to 4th District volunteer Marilyn Karasov. She participated in her third National Senior Games (85-89 age group) in Minneapolis earlier this year and won her third tennis medal, a bronze in women’s singles. She also participated in mixed doubles this time. She has been with the GAL program since the Fall of 2013 and is the mother of District Judge Fred Karasov who used to serve in Juvenile. She currently has three cases and celebrated her 89th birthday December 10.
(Have news to share about yourself or other GALs? Have news/events impacting GALs? Please send your info to Michelle Johnson (michelle.johnson@courts.state.mn.us) for inclusion in the next newsletter!
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There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”