August Stories: Humans of CASA of Kent County

This month, we shared the stories of Kaitlyn, Bree, and Kevin. They each fill different roles for CASA of Kent County, but they all more an invaluable impact with their support. Read more about their respective journeys below!

Kaitlyn Kelly, Foster Care Supervisor

In a field often marked by heartache and uncertainty, hope has been Kaitlyn Kelly’s anchor. It’s in the smile of a child finally feeling safe. It’s in the tearful reunion of a parent who worked tirelessly to get their children back. It’s in the joy of a long-awaited adoption. These moments—small in the grand scheme, but monumental to the lives they touch—are what have carried Kaitlyn through eleven years in foster care work.

Turnover is common in child welfare, where burnout can happen quickly. But Kaitlyn has stayed, year after year, with Catholic Charities of West Michigan, driven by her belief that consistency matters—especially for kids who have already faced so much instability. “Some cases I received had had five or six case workers before me,” Kaitlyn recalls. “I was determined to be their last case worker.”

What sustained her during those years wasn’t just resilience—it was connection. The camaraderie she built with fellow case workers and a supportive supervisor helped her carry the emotional weight of the work. “They became like family,” she says. “Having people to lean on made all the difference.”

Kaitlyn also found hope in the passionate commitment of CASA volunteers. “They’re not bound by the same policies and politics,” she explains. “They’re right there with the child, expressing their wishes and advocating for them. They bring a unique perspective to the court, to attorneys, and to the caseworkers.” That perspective often brought clarity—and hope—to complex situations.

Now serving as a supervisor, Kaitlyn no longer works directly with families, but her impact is no less powerful. She pours her energy into mentoring new case workers, guiding them through the same challenges she once faced. She reminds them that their work matters deeply. “If you can be a foster care caseworker, you can do anything,” she tells them. “It is the hardest job ever.” And she points them to the simple moments that shine to keep them going.

Because even in the hardest days, there are always bright spots. And for Kaitlyn, those glimmers of hope have lit the way—one child, one family, one breakthrough at a time.

Bree Burns, CASA Volunteer

Kindness has a ripple effect. It starts small—an encouraging word, a helping hand, a moment of presence—and spreads further than we can ever see. For Bree Burns, a volunteer advocate with CASA of Kent County, kindness is more than just a value. It’s a way of life. It’s what fuels her, what guides her, and what she hopes to pass on.

Kindness shaped Bree long before she knew its full power. She grew up watching her Memaw—her grandmother on her mother’s side—live it out every day. “She’s the one who taught me the definition of unconditional love,” Bree shares. “She’s always been about service and helping others.” In her Memaw’s steady compassion, Bree learned that being kind isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about being present, showing up, and loving without condition.

The lesson deepened when Bree met Miss Tammy, her third-grade teacher. “Even though I was only in third grade, her attitude stuck with me,” Bree says. “Her positivity, her willingness to help—her kindness—has stayed with me my entire life.” It was in that classroom that Bree felt the warmth of being seen and supported. That same warmth is what she now offers to the child she advocates for.

As a CASA volunteer, Bree brings this legacy of kindness into her work with a sixteen-year-old living in a residential facility. Her role changes from day to day—sometimes she’s a bridge, helping the child reach social workers when communication is hard. Other times, she’s simply a safe space, listening without judgment when her child shares what they need most. When Bree helps meet those needs, even the smallest ones, something bigger is happening. Trust is forming. Relationship is building. Kindness is taking root.

Bree doesn’t just talk about kindness—she lives it. She sees the needs around her and steps forward, just as her Memaw and Miss Tammy once did for her. In every interaction, she chooses compassion. And through her quiet, steady presence, Bree proves that kindness isn’t small at all. It changes lives—starting with one child, one moment, one act of care at a time.

Kevin Nelson, CASA Board Member

Serving and meeting needs has always been second nature to Kevin Nelson. From his earliest years to his work today, he has quietly made a habit of noticing where help is needed—and finding a way to provide it. It’s never been about recognition or applause. For Kevin, it’s simply who he is.

Even in high school, Kevin’s instinct to serve was clear. As class president, he saw that some classmates lacked essentials, so he created a nonprofit donation center within the school. With support from local businesses, neighbors, and even the Toms shoe company, Kevin and his friends supplied clothing and shoes—always keeping the program anonymous to preserve dignity and trust. “I didn’t know I had already found my career,” Kevin reflects. “Years later, I could see that I was always meant to do this.”

Today, Kevin serves as the Director of Donor Development at the Heart of West Michigan United Way, an organization deeply committed to identifying and meeting needs in the community. United Way works in three key ways: funding organizations already doing good work, creating programs where gaps exist, and mobilizing donors and volunteers to fuel all of it. “What I love,” Kevin shares, “is that United Way not only focuses on our mission but amplifies others’ missions too. It’s very unique.”

His work with United Way led Kevin to CASA of Kent County, where the mission hit close to home—his two younger brothers were adopted from foster care. After attending a Heart of CASA dinner, Kevin was moved by the stories of advocacy and hope. Now, he serves on CASA’s board as Secretary and contributes to the Endowment Committee, bringing his dedication to meeting needs into another corner of the community.

Whether through professional roles or personal service, Kevin continues to connect generosity with opportunity. He believes that when people come together, real change happens. “We can make a change,” Kevin says. “People just need to come together and do the things that need to be done.”

For Kevin, serving and meeting needs isn’t an occasional act—it’s a lifelong calling, carried out one connection, one act of generosity, and one community need at a time.

This post is part of our 2025 Humans of CASA of Kent County campaign. Click here to check out the campaign webpage and read more featured stories.