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Program Information

Building Locations

Wheeling Office:

1224 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003

Telephone: 304-233-0333

Moundsville Office:

408 Morton Avenue, Moundsville, WV 26041

New Martinsville Office:

128 Main Street, New Martinsville, WV 26155

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Staff Members

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Executive Director

Susan Harrison graduated from Edinboro University with a BA in criminal justice in 2000, where she was a scholar athlete and member of the women’s swim team.  After working for a few years doing behavioral interventions with a wrap-around agency, she moved to Morgantown, WV to pursue her MSW and MPA degrees.  While in school, she was a graduate teaching assistant for the social work department.  After graduation, Susan became a therapist for the Monongalia County Youth Services Center and worked at the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center as the Coordinator of Interview and Community Services. While in Morgantown she met and married her husband Jeremy.  With the opportunity for Jeremy to move home to Marshall County, Jeremy convinced Susan that the Ohio Valley would be where they could put down roots and raise a family.

 

Over the past 15 years, Susan has led and grown the CASA for Children Inc. organization to include 4 counties (Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler Counties), 2 Court Jurisdictions and serving more than 400 children each year.  In 2010, Susan and her husband founded Helping Heroes Inc., a program providing a ‘hand up’ to veterans needing housing stability assistance in the Northern Panhandle of WV. She is a member of the WV State Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, the lead for the Marshall County Partners in Prevention Team and a trainer of the Mandated Reporting, Making a Difference Curriculum. In addition, Susan has taught social work classes at West Liberty University each year since 2012. 

 

A fun fact about Susan is that she is a triathlete at 40 (+)years old!

 

“A foster/adoptive parent once told me: 'you saved this kid' I don't know that I believe, I ALONE did or could do anything to save him, what I did was love him. When we look for the good in the children on our caseloads, it makes it easier to help find their forever family. I loved this kid, I introduced him to a family that will love him forever. I believe the potential is there for CASA volunteers to save kids, not always from their abusive homes, but sometimes we are saving them from a broken system. The connections that we make with our kids, their support systems, their schools... our job is to help put the pieces back together or in some case design a whole new puzzle. Our job is to work together with all the messiness that is today's child welfare system and somehow hope and pray that we have made the right choices, made the right recommendations so that in the end our children don't just survive but thrive. ”

 

- Susan J. Harrison MSW, MPA, LGSW

Executive Director CASA for Children, Inc.

Program Coordinator

Sarah Edwards graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a BA in Communication Studies in 2015 and an MA in Communication Studies from West Virginia University in 2016. Sarah has previously worked in mental healthcare as a case manager for Southeast Healthcare, specifically with drug and alcohol and after-school programming. Sarah is a Volunteer Coordinator for Ohio County, located in our Wheeling office. Sarah is originally from Indiana, PA but has happily called Wheeling home since 2011.

“I think a big part of why CASA is such an invaluable in our community is because we are here to support and love the kids we work with for this season when they need us. Will they remember us by name in 20 years? Maybe, but they will remember that CASA stood with them and tried our best to help find the best options and outcome for that kid. I have one of the best jobs because my work is to help find the best options for kids that may not get any options otherwise; we get to be a little bit of sunshine that stands with them through a bit of rough weather.” – Sarah Edwards

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Outreach/Marketing Coordinator
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Tori Smith graduated from West Liberty University with a BA in Criminal Justice in 2018. During her Senior Year she worked at Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield, Taylor & Gordon as a Legal Secretary. Tori then joined our team here at CASA for Children in July of 2019. Tori serves as our Volunteer Coordinator for Wetzel and Tyler Counties and is located in our satellite office in the Wetzel County Center for Children and Families in New Martinsville. Tori was born and raised in Wetzel/Tyler County area and is thrilled to be able to give back to the community she grew up in.

 

“Working for CASA has given me the opportunity to do what I love. As a CASA I get to be the voice for children who cannot speak up for themselves. Along with being an advocate, I also serve as a listening ear, a supportive person, a resource connector in difficult times, and a friend to children who are in the Child Welfare System. “A foster mother told me “I cannot express how thankful we are that you have taken the time to be a part of everything in our child’s life. You have provided not only our child, but our whole family with a support system during this difficult time.” I like to use the saying “It takes an Army to protect a village” when referring to the team work and collaboration it takes to build up broken family relationships and put together a plan to best help families within the Child Welfare System. Without the strong efforts, dedication, collaboration, and strong foundation of the Multi-Disciplinary Teams throughout the court proceedings, successful reunifications would not be possible.” -Tori Smith

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After earning her associate degree in paralegal studies, Amanda completed an internship and earned a NALS certificate. Amanda has worked at law firms as a legal assistant and paralegal whilecontinuing her education at West Liberty to obtain her bachelor's degree. In 2023, she graduated from West Liberty University with a master’s degree in forensic accounting. “I chose forensic accounting as my major because it was the program that offered courses that were of interest to me. Note: forensic accounting translates to fraud investigations. I love learning and hope to grow as a lifelong learner.”

 

“I knew I wanted a career in the law when I began studying as a paralegal. I have always had a passion for helping people. I aspire to dedicating my life to fulling that passion. I am honored to represent CASA as an advocate for children. The work we do is challenging but also the most rewarding as it benefits our community. In all we do, volunteering, outreach, virtual and other training and information sessions, involvement opportunities and partnering with organizations that work towards the same goal. There is a way we can all help the families in our communities.” -Amanda 

Albert Schweitzer summarizes it beautifully, 

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Volunteer Coordinator
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Volunteer Coordinator
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Hanna litman graduated from Ohio university with a BA in criminology in 2019. She previously worked as a substance abuse counselor before joining our team at CASA in March 2024. Hanna serves as our volunteer coordinator for wetzel and Tyler counties and is located in our satellite office in the wetzel county center for children and family in new martinsville. 

 

"As a CASA I have had the privilege to meet children in the welfare system, listen to their needs and in turn advocate for their best interests during court proceedings when they're sometimes unable to do so. These children are very vulnerable at this time so I enjoy being able to provide a safe space for the child and foster parents. "

Volunteer Coordinator

Mary-Kate Beck graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a B.A. in Social Work. Mary-Kate is a Volunteer Coordinator for Ohio County in our Wheeling office. Mary-Kate was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. She completed a 500-hour internship at Harmony House in Wheeling, WV where she found her love for advocacy. She plans to obtain her licensure as well as get her MSW with a specialty in Trauma Informed Practice.  

“A big reason that I love working at CASA is for the advocacy aspect. CASA Advocates have the unique opportunity to spend quality time getting to know children and their foster placement. I love that I can connect with the children and express their wishes to the court so that their voices can be heard. CASA also allows me to work with an amazing team of people who make up the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) as we all work toward the shared goal of doing what is in the best interest of the children. ” – Mary-Kate Beck

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