Gibbs
10/15/01

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is a special program that adds another voice in the court, in social service, and in families for children. During Judge Wilmont Sweeney's tenure as Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court for Alameda County, he ensured that the County would have a CASA to advocate for its children. He knew that families and social services are not always the best advocates for children's rights.

In establishing that program in Alameda County and making it the strong advocate system for children that it is today, he hired Dr. Arnold Chavez, and Dr. Chavez hired Lisa Abernathy to work with him. The two of them worked as a strong team to carry out the judge's desire that children have an independent voice.

Lisa Abernathy was a strong force, an intelligent and caring worker in the service of CASA and the children they provided advocates to serve. She is leaving the program to go to another level of service. CASA will, I am sure, miss her able assistance and caring attention, but fortunately for Alameda County's CASA, Dr. Chavez is still at the helm to guide it in providing advocates for children.

Gibbs salutes Alameda County CASA and bids farewell and God's speed to Lisa Abernathy. []

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