CASA-CAN

CASA-CAN Volunteer of the Year
& Recipient of the 2008 Local Kaye Johnson Memorial Award

Linda Mettam

We would like you to meet someone who is ready to take on the world. That world includes anyone in need of a bed, a home to call their own, or just a hug. But what really gets this whirlwind of energy going is an abused or neglected child. She eagerly completed the 30 hours of initial CASA training and chomped on the bit to get her first case. Now four years later 24 children in 12 youth in need of care cases have been fortunate to have Linda Mettam speak up, speak out and go to bat for their best interests.

Linda said, “You have to lose your personal value system to see past what is happening, and see the love in families or foster homes.” Watch her and you’ll see that see that she truly loves each and every one of “her” kids. And, she always looks for the best qualities in their parents in a valiant effort to reach that ultimate goal of reuniting child and parent. Linda hears kids say they want to go home. She understands that home is what they know, no matter how bad it is. She listens with compassion and empathy and after much investigation voices her opinion to the court about what she believes would be in the child’s best interest. If isn’t possible for a child to be returned to the birthparents, Linda is very vocal about ensuring permanency in a timely manner. Linda always keeps a child’s sense of time in the forefront of her mind. A month can be forever in a young life when a child is waiting for a permanent home.

Before Linda “retired” she served as the Executive Director of the Great Falls Children’s Receiving Home, a short term shelter care facility for abused and neglected children. She has seen children who one day are in the squalor of their own home, are removed during the night, and are expected the very next day to follow the rules. Hang up clothes. Dinner at 5. Make the bed. Go to school. She still tries to sooth the grief children suffer in a turbulent and scary time in their life. Linda’s heart aches to see the overwhelming sadness, powerlessness, hopelessness, in a child’s eyes and hear a child questioning, “Why am I here?”

Linda makes the effort to see that every child experiences things that you and I take for granted. A birthday party, holiday traditions. Nothing is taken for granted as far as Linda is concerned. She has managed to hold on to her own child’s sense of wonder, a curiosity about everything. Whether it comes from a book or a person in her life Linda is always ready and open to absorb new knowledge about a wide variety of subjects.

Linda has been a driving force behind CASA-CAN’s fundraising events. She speaks out to the community. But, let’s take a look at Linda’s life beyond CASA. She is a bona fide, dyed in the wool Griz fan. She cheers with great gusto for her Gonzaga basketball team and the Mariners. We can find Linda at the Peak – a local gym – every day. She is very devout. She serves on the Juvenile Detention Center board, co-chairs the gift wrapping fundraiser for the Children’s Receiving Home, is a member of the Exchange Club, soon the be president. She plays in the great outdoors, rafting and camping. Her travels have found her in Puerto Vallarta where believe it or not she found children in desperate need. She and other visitors took sandwiches every day to children who live in abject poverty at the dump.

It’s best said in her husband Mike’s words, “Linda cares about people when the rest of the world doesn’t give a second look. She has a place in her heart for those that others turn their backs to.” Always with a smile, a sense of curiosity, and her special brand of energy and enthusiasm. That’s our Linda.

lgoffcasa@gtfalls.com