Keeping the Flame Alive: Reflections from the Empower a Child Celebration
The Empower a Child Cocktail Party on October 23rd marked more than the start of CASA Essex’s 40th anniversary year — it became a night that truly embodied who we are. As the room filled with laughter, conversation, and connection, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a celebration. It was a living reminder of the light that has guided CASA Essex for four decades — the light of advocacy, compassion, and community.
Throughout the evening, guests were reminded that every milestone begins with a single candle — one small flame that, when shared, can light countless others without ever losing its glow. Forty years ago, CASA Essex was that single candle: a spark ignited by visionaries who believed every child in foster care deserves safety, stability, and someone to speak up when others fall silent.
In her remarks, Executive Director Marla Higginbotham reflected on that first candle and what it represents: life, hope, and the wish for something better. She reminded us that although the flame has faced challenges — from funding hurdles and system changes to a global pandemic — it has never gone out. Each time it flickered, someone stepped forward to protect it: a volunteer, a donor, a board member, a staff member, a partner.
That spirit of resilience and hope was brought vividly to life by guest speaker Tawanna S. Brown, a young woman with lived experience in foster care, who shared her own story of perseverance and the life-changing impact of having a CASA by her side.
“Having a CASA is like having someone who never stops believing in you — even when you’re not sure you believe in yourself.” Tawanna S. Brown
Her words captured the heart of what CASA Essex stands for — the unwavering belief in every child’s potential, even in the face of adversity. Tawanna’s journey reminded everyone in the room why this mission endures and why every voice of support matters.
As the evening continued, longtime supporters and new friends joined together to honor CASA Essex’s past and look toward its future. Guests shared stories, reconnected, and celebrated the volunteers, advocates, and community partners who keep the light of CASA shining bright across Essex County.
Forty years later, that first flame has multiplied a thousand times over. Every CASA volunteer who visits a child, every donor who invests in our mission, every staff member who goes above and beyond — each adds another point of light to our collective glow.
The Empower a Child celebration reminded us that this milestone isn’t just about longevity. It’s about impact. It’s about the countless lives illuminated by the care and commitment of those who believe that every child matters.
As CASA Essex continues its 40th anniversary year, we carry that light forward — stronger, warmer, and brighter than ever. Together, we’re not just celebrating how long the candle has burned. We’re celebrating how it continues to ignite others.
SEE PHOTOS HERE