Be a Child Advocate: Guide Children Home, Safeguard their Future
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The Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs is not affiliated with nor is a member of the National CASA organization. Local membership varies.
McKenzie Hartley is currently serving her second term in Grant County Washington as a
Volunteer Recruitment Specialist. McKenzie is a former Central Washington University
Graduate and a current Master’s student at Walla Walla University School of Social Work.
McKenzie’s mission is to seek qualified and motivated child advocates for children in the
Washington State Dependency System.
McKenzie looks forward to helping teens and youth in a
social services capacity after the end of her term.
Jillian serves as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Recruitment Specialist for the Whatcom County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem (VGAL) Program, where she focuses on building a community of compassionate and dedicated volunteer child advocates who represent the best interests of children in the court system. Growing up in Central Washington among apple and cherry orchards, Jillian learned early on the importance of community and the power of accessible support systems.
As a Graduate Student in Audiology, Jillian brings a strong commitment to inclusivity, communication, and accessibility to her work with the VGAL Program. Her experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental and behavioral challenges, has shaped her approach to recruitment. She prioritizes “meeting individuals where they are at”, with empathy and respect striving to ensure that every advocate is prepared to serve children with compassion, dignity, and integrity.
When she’s not deep in her schoolwork, Jillian loves spending time with her friends and grandparents, playing with her pets, playing video games, or getting a little too competitive over Settlers of Catan. Growing up in a small town, she’s all about close connections and loves making a comfortable, welcoming space for the people (and animals) she cares about.
Amanda is the current Thurston County Volunteer Recruitment Specialist for the Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs, AmeriCorps Program. She is also the Volunteer Coordinator for a medical non profit as well as a Foster Parent Mentor with the Alliance CaRES Program.
Her involvement in the fostering community began when she, with her family, opened her home to children in the dependency system, as a licensed foster parent. While Amanda has since closed her home to foster care, she is dedicated to serving and supporting the fostering community any way she can. Amanda looks forward to her continued work as a Mentor and her new role as a Volunteer Recruitment Specialist.
Kierra has been a WACAP AmeriCorps Volunteer Child Advocate Recruiter for three years. She has a strong interest in helping children and families lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Now in her third term with Clallam County she has taken over full recruitment responsibilities and has coordinated and participated in all of their local events.
Kierra’s goal is to continue giving back to her community in a reliable and stable career position that helps others in need. Outside of work, Kierra enjoys spending her time listening to audiobooks with her dogs and making fresh sourdough bread for friends, family, and coworkers.
If you’re interested in learning more about Kierra’s experience as an AmeriCorps Member or want to volunteer with Clallam County, you can contact her at kierra@wachildadvocates.org. Help her help children in need by volunteering today!
