This month, we are so excited to highlight Blair Dyer in our CASA Volunteer Spotlight!
Blair joined the staff team at CASA of NWA in 2016 as an advocate supervisor serving primarily Madison County. She eventually left that position in 2019 ahead of the birth of her first child, but has remained a part of CASA since, serving as a volunteer, a board member, and is now serving a case as a volunteer again.
But Blair’s journey with CASA didn’t actually even begin in Northwest Arkansas! As a college student at Kansas State University, Blair was required to get 30 volunteer hours as a class assignment. Blair opted to complete her 30 volunteer hours by participating in pre-service training with her local CASA organization and was then sworn-in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Blair served two cases as a CASA volunteer in Kansas – a transformative experience that opened her eyes to the value of advocating for children who do not always have safe or trusted family members. These two cases showed Blair the profound difference a caring advocate can have in a child’s life, and these experiences planted the seeds for her long-term commitment to CASA.
Blair’s role as an advocate supervisor at CASA of NWA from 2016 – 2019, offered her an opportunity to support her team of volunteers to advocate for the best interests of the children they served. She shared “I enjoyed getting to empower them to make a real difference in the lives of children and leave a meaningful impact.”
When a position became available on CASA’s Board of Directors, Blair was a natural fit. Her experience as a volunteer and Advocate Supervisor gave Blair insight that was incredibly valuable to the board and CASA as whole. As a member of the board from 2022-2024, Blair’s perspective into the word of child advocacy deepened as she gained insight into CASA’s internal operations and the decisions that keep the organization running smoothly. Her experiences as both a staff and board member deepened Blair’s appreciation for CASA’s mission and continued to solidify her dedication to serving children.
When the child that Blair had previously advocated for returned to foster care, Blair resigned her position on the board and agreed to be reassigned to the child’s case. Blair explained “I always planned to switch back to the volunteer side. I want the child on my case to know that she is worth it for me to stick by her side and remain a constant in her life when she is facing so much instability. My hope is that she will feel supported by me and known by me and that I can champion her well.”
When Blair isn’t busy with her work at CASA, she and her husband Alex and their two children work to enjoy all that NWA has to offer in the community. They spend time visiting the Bentonville Farmer’s Market and exploring the numerous parks our region boasts.
Blair’s commitment to CASA continues because she firmly believes in the impact an advocate can have. In a system where children can feel overlooked or powerless, CASA volunteers provide a consistent presence and voice during the most challenging time in a child’s life. As Blair shared, “You get to build meaningful connections and help them feel safe and known and valued.”
From volunteer to staff, back to volunteer to board member, and now back to volunteer again, Blair’s advocacy efforts on behalf of children, teens, and young adults in both Kansas and Arkansas are admirable and we count ourselves lucky that she is a part of our team!