Music has always been part of Trudi Huizenga’s life. It shaped her career, her outlook, and—perhaps most importantly—her service to others. For more than 22 years, Trudi has brought the same sense of harmony she once shared in the classroom to her volunteer work at CASA of Kent County, offering hope and care to children in need.
After retiring from Calvin College in 2003, Trudi came across a newspaper ad seeking CASA volunteers. The idea of advocating for children sparked her curiosity. She signed up for training and soon took on her first case—three siblings who needed individualized attention and consistency. Trudi found joy in spending time with each child, creating small moments of connection that echoed the harmony of her own happy upbringing.
When her case ended, Trudi realized that her aching knees would make it difficult to take on another. But she wasn’t ready to step away from CASA. Instead, she asked, “What else can I do for you?” This led her to a different rhythm of service—organizing, filing, and shredding confidential case documents. Though the work was quiet, it was deeply meaningful. As she handled each file, Trudi was reminded of the many children who needed care and advocacy. That awareness has kept her faithfully volunteering for more than two decades.
Trudi’s background in music and education mirrors her dedication to lifelong learning and service. She began as an elementary music teacher, later earning both her master’s and her Ph.D. in music. Her teaching career included an unforgettable year when she taught both kindergarten music in the morning and Oedipus Rex in the afternoon—a reflection of the wide range of human experience she now encounters through CASA.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids as one of eight children, Trudi remembers the moment she first realized not all childhoods were as joyful as hers. A classmate once drew a picture of his mother with tears on her face—a small but unforgettable image that awakened her empathy and sense of purpose.
Today, whether she’s helping at CASA or serving others through her church, Trudi continues to blend compassion and consistency—the same harmony she’s always carried—with the hope that every child might one day experience the safety and joy she knew growing up.
This story is featured in the Winter 2025 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter click here to view a pdf version of the newsletter.
For Chad Kirkpatrick, service has never been a pastime—it’s what guides every part of his life. As the VP of Operations at Broadway Grand Rapids, he calls his role his “dream job,” not for the title, but because nonprofit work feeds a part of him nothing else ever has. His commitment to community extends beyond his job, reflected in the many ways he invests his time in volunteer roles.
Patty Sabin’s journey into advocacy began long before she ever volunteered with CASA. It started at home, helping her two children navigate school with their own unique learning styles. Supporting them through those challenging years taught her how to speak up, ask questions, and persist—skills that would become the foundation of her life’s work.
Susie Rent has lived in the Grand Rapids area her entire life, building a life grounded in family, community, and service.
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