 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. There isn’t anyone I can think of who has been a better advocate for abused and neglected children than Debi Cawdrey, so this month she is my featured lady. After a lifetime career with the Chelan-Douglas CASA program, Debi retired last January and yet her advocacy for children began before, and continues after, her service within the CASA program. It all started shortly after the loss of not one but two children...
Debi and her husband Pete were the parents of one biological child, Joshua, but tragically suffered the heartbreaking losses of two other children, Peter and Matthew, to complications of premature birth. Their heart for children and the holes the boys’ losses left, were simply too big. With an open heart and mind to alternative family options, Pete and Debi adopted Micah and Adam. When Debi and Pete had concerns about a neighborhood friend of their sons’ a new role, as child advocate blossomed in Debi’s life. The boy needed shelter care and they prayerfully considered and accepted the him into their home. They became licensed foster parents with an intent to simply shelter children until they could reunify with their parents. They ended up becoming adoptive parents to six children who had been involved in the foster care system. Volunteering for the CASA program connected Debi with Sue Baker, one of the initial founders of the Chelan-Douglas CASA program. At Sue’s encouragement, Debi joined the CASA staff and spent the rest of her career, teaching and training CASA volunteers and advocating for the children. Over the years her title changed, but her heart for hurting kids never did. Debi’s faith in Jesus Christ is a driving force and motivation in her life. Her advocacy for children, no doubt is centered in her call to serve the LORD by serving some of the most vulnerable in society. Some would say Pete and Debi were saints for adopting children. I say they’re exceptional because their lives have been an example of living out their faith in service to others. Over the years their family has grown by leaps and bounds. The Cawdrey’s have adopted eight children in total and now boast a bouquet of thirteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. From her home life to her career Debi has truly been the hands and feet of Christ and a fierce advocate for abused and neglected children. Thank you Debi for your heart for these kids and your service to your community. You are dearly missed in the CASA organization, but I wish you the absolute best in retirement, you’ve earned your rest! DEBI’S STATS: Book recommendation: Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families with Special-Needs Kids a Guide for parents and Professionals ~ Regina Kupecky & Gregory Peck Current books: In Bible Study Debi is working through Jude and 1st Corinthians
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