I am excited to announce that Mer Conner is this month’s Advocate Spotlight. Mer began her journey as an Advocate in March 2020. Since then, Mer has been assigned to five cases and has advocated for a total of seven children. Mer has shown commitment and dedication to her role as a CASA Volunteer. She always goes above and beyond expectations and ensures to advocate for the best interest of her CASA children. Mer has a warm heart and shares it with each child that she
serves. She builds a rapport with her CASA children and supports her CASA children in every avenue. In November 2020, Mer was assigned to two young girls. She grew a close bond with them and advocated for the girls to be adopted. The girls always greeted her with warm hugs and smiles. Mer continues to stay in contact with the girls and keeps up with their life adventures post-adoption.

In July 2022, Mer was then assigned to a set of twin girls. Mer quickly built trust with the teen girls and would drive from Lake Isabella to meet with her CASA children in Bakersfield. Mer has always shown her dedication and was always willing to accept a challenge. Shortly after becoming the twin’s CASA, she then became their Educational Rights Holder. Mer is a retired teacher and was ready to share her knowledge in education in order to advocate for the best interest of her CASA children.

Recently, Mer accepted a new case of a fourteen-year-old girl. Her CASA child recently moved to Bakersfield and Mer is ready to comfort her CASA child. I am excited to see the relationship that Mer will build with her CASA child. Thank you, Mer, for your being a hero!

• Advocate Supervisor, Araceli Lopez