Manchester CASA volunteer goes the extra 2,500 miles for kids in need

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George Rousseau, left, of Manchester, accepts a volunteer of the year award from Bishop Libasci on behalf of his work as a CASA NH volunteer guardian ad litem.
George Rousseau, left, of Manchester, accepts a Vita et Caritas award from Bishop Peter Libasci on behalf of his work as a CASA NH volunteer guardian ad litem.

 


MANCHESTER, NH – The 2016 Bishop’s Summer Reception to benefit the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund was held on September 8 at Trudel House in Manchester. Attended by more than 450 guests, the reception celebrated the successful campaign that raised $225,000 to help those most in need in New Hampshire.

Maria Ryan, Ph.D. , and Attorney Ovide Lamontagne co-chaired the campaign, thanking the donors who make all the grants possible.

A highlight of the Summer Reception came as Bishop Peter Libasci awarded the Vita et Caritas [Life and Love] Award to George Rousseau of Manchester. The award, given in memory of Ruthie Ford, recognizes a volunteer who demonstrates exceptional service to a non-profit organization assisting women, children and families. Rousseau is guardian ad litem for Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire (CASA).  In his 15 years as a volunteer with CASA, Rousseau has personally advocated in the NH courts for close to 20 children who have suffered from neglect or abuse. Ages have ranged from newborn up to 18 years old.

Rousseau is known as a man of high caliber and integrity, and is dedicated to ensuring that children have access to safe, nurturing and permanent living situations. He visits the children wherever they may be living. Additionally, he considers the opinions of their parents and social workers. He attends their educational and therapeutic sessions and numerous judicial hearings before making his recommendations. It’s a complex process as evidenced by Rousseau putting nearly 2,500 miles on his car last year.

CASA logoThe Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is a not-for-profit organization within the Catholic Church in New Hampshire. The Fund enables the Bishop of Manchester, through a volunteer board of directors, to make grants to not-for-profit organizations without regard to religious affiliation for projects that help people in New Hampshire meet their basic needs. The Bishop’s Summer Reception, begun in 1985, accepts donations that serve as the sole source of support for the Fund.

For more information about the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund visit www.catholicnh.org/bcaf. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, click here.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!