Program Staff

Joy has been involved with CASA since 2003. After earning her BA in Sociology at Vanguard University, she became a CASA volunteer with Orange County CASA in Santa Ana, CA.

 

During her seven years as a CASA volunteer, she worked as an event planner, program coordinator, and academic advisor at her alma mater.

 

In 2012, Joy relocated to Alaska and became the local program coordinator for Kenai Peninsula CASA, a partnership program between the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and Alaska CASA. Joy subsequently served as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), advocating for children and youth in the Kenai court system. In 2018, Joy became the State Director of Alaska CASA. Her vision as a State Director is to see more children and youth served throughout Alaska by a CASA volunteer.

Amy moved to Alaska in 2023 from the Panhandle of Florida. She most recently worked for the Alaska Court System as the Program Coordinator for both the CINA Therapeutic Court and Muni Court programs. Amy has dedicated most of the last 23 years to helping children and families involved in the child welfare system. Her experience includes coordinating Florida’s Early Childhood Court, serving as a Child Advocate Manager for the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, and serving as a Child Protective Investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She believes strongly in working to help improve the lives of those who are the most vulnerable among us.

 

Amy graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She also earned a paralegal certificate from the University of San Diego.

Kendra has worked with youth and families in Alaska for nearly 15 years both professionally, as a Positive Youth Development professional with the Cooperative Extension at UAF, and also with Blossom House, a nonprofit that provides trauma-informed wellness and arts-based programming to adults and youth in correctional and residential facilities in Fairbanks. She is a lifelong student of trauma theory and works to understand trauma and trauma recovery and the integration of these teachings into everyday life.

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She is thrilled to join the Alaska CASA team and endeavors to support CASA volunteers and the youth they represent.

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Kendra is originally from California and has been living in Fairbanks since 2000. She likes spending quality time with family and friends, walking/hiking/lounging in beautiful places and playing music with pals. 

Dee grew up in Northern California but has been living in Alaska for more than 27 years. She has 25 years of experience working with multiple Social Services programs, including the Santa Clara County Housing Authority and Division of Public Assistance.  For the last 12 years she was the Provider Payments Manager and Independent Living Program Coordinator at the Office of Children’s Services. She also worked with the Department of Labor in Workforce Investment Youth Programs in both Nevada and Alaska.

 

Dee studied Social Work at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

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Robin was born in Dallas, Texas but grew up in Palmer, Alaska. As a passionate advocate for marginalized and at-risk communities, she has both personal and professional knowledge of the continued strain on children in adverse conditions. She graduated Dean’s List from Charter College with a Certificate of Paralegal Studies and has previously worked at The Seldovia Village Tribe in Seldovia, Alaska as their lead Marketing associate. Robin came to Valley CASA after working at the Palmer Courthouse as a Courtroom Judicial Assistant. From her experience in the Alaska Court System, she is familiar with CINA and other complex courtroom rules and procedures. 

 

Robin and her husband have four children, two dogs, a cat, a turtle, and big open hearts to champion for systemic equity and community engagement.