Our Team
Volunteer Advocates
LaSalle County CASA currently boasts 28 trained advocates, from all walks of life, who share a commitment to the children who have experienced abuse and neglect of our community. We are a friendly, dedicated group of volunteers and would love to welcome you to our team!
Board of Directors
BRIAN DOSE (Ottawa)
Board President
LaSalle County Board, Elected Official
KAREN MILLER (Ottawa)
Board Treasurer
LaSalle County Recorder
JENNIE ESPINOZA (Mendota)
Board Secretary
Therapist
ALEXIS FERRACUTI (Ottawa)
Attorney, Managing Partner Law Offices of Peter Ferracuti
MARTIN MILLER (Ottawa)
Business Banking and Digital Solutions Manager
ABBY SLUSARSKI (LaSalle)
Therapist, Life Balance Counseling & Wellness
BETH FINDLEY SMITH (Somonauk)
LaSalle County Board, Elected Official
STEPHANIE STACY (Ottawa)
Garden Gate - Owner
Emeritus Board Members
MELISSA LORENZI BASIL (Ottawa)
Guidance Counselor OHS
STEVE NAVARIO (Ottawa)
Retired Educator OHS
TJ TEMPLETON (Peru)
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Broker
Tami Thomas-Leonatti (Ottawa)
Quality Care Cleaning, T&L Janitorial & more
OUR STAFF
Alexandria Wamhoff Executive Director
Celeste Nielsen Advocacy Coordinator
Kevin Nelson Advocacy Coordinator
PHOTO GALLERY: CASA IN THE COMMUNITY
February 2025 Volunteer Swearing-In
Dec 2024 Volunteer get-together
Board & Staff November 2024
Nov 2024 volunteer get-together group kick-off
Trinity Lutheran Church Ottawa October 20, 2024
Ottawa Smoketober Fest October 2024
June 2024 Streator Liberty Fest Volunteer Sign-up Booth
June 2024 IVAC Biz After Hours
June 2024 Staff & Board - City of Ottawa Volunteer Fair
June 2024 Ottawa Family Pride Festival Volunteer Booth
May 2024 Sheila Gunderson receives the The President’s Volunteer Service Award
March 2024 IVAC/OAC Combined Business After Hours Event
Chili for Charity Hut - Chris Kringle Market 2023
Ottawa Festival of Lights Parade 2023
Oglesby Winter Parade 2023 with Barnhardt Crane
Marseilles Harvest Fest 2023
Streator YMCA Senior Expo 2023
Ottawa Scarecrow Festival 2023
Ottawa Scarecrow Festival 2023
Through the Lens of Giving: LaSalle County CASA in Pictures
May 2025 OSB employees donated $5 each week for three weeks in April
February 2025, Karsen McGill OSB Community Bank donation
Somonauk HS Students gift volunteers Dec 2024
ONYX (Ottawa Network of Young eXecutives) donation Dec 2024
Sept 18, 2024 Advocate Swearing-In Ceremony
Honoring Karen Willand-Barton for 9 years of service.
June 2024 IVBT Charity Golf Event
June 2024 Serving free Sloppy Joe's to the community
May 15, 2024 Commissioning Ceremony with the Honorable Judge Cynthia Raccuglia
May 2024 Fun-raising at the Diss Vaccaro Golf Benefit
Board Members Karen Barton & Brian Dose - Streator United Way Annual Dinner 2023
February 21 2024 - New Advocate Swearing-In Ceremony
March 14 2024 - Streator 110th Meeting & Awards