June 2002 - Call Me Ann

Brittany “Ann” Stillwell

Where Your Combined Federal Campaign Money Goes

Graduation Day 2002. It was a magical moment for Brittany Stillwell as she received her diploma from Lincoln Prep Academy. Cameras flashed, the crowd cheered and Brittany smiled. It was exciting for everyone, knowing all the Kansas City teenager had overcome to reach this day.

Eighteen years ago, when Brittany was born, her chances for success didn’t look very good. Her mother was in trouble with the law, mentally unstable and she had already lost custody of two older children, but she was determined to keep Brittany. The judge wanted to protect the new baby, so he turned to a new organization called CASA of Jackson County, whose mission was to protect the rights of children in court. A trained CASA volunteer, Ann Stern, was assigned to represent Brittany.

After an extensive investigation, involving dozens of interviews, Stern recommended that Brittany be placed in the custody of her grandmother. Ann Stern remembers, “Her grandmother loved Brittany, and it seemed much better than placing her into foster care with strangers.”

Officially, that was supposed to be the end of the Stern’s and CASA’s involvement with Brittany, but it wasn’t. Ann and her husband Dan Stern, also a CASA volunteer, stayed in touch with the family, offering advice and support on many occasions over the years. Ann Says, “As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) our job is to find safe, permanent homes for these children. Our involvement ends when they leave the court system, but relationships develop and you can’t help but become attached to these children who, through no fault of their own, may be victims of abuse and neglect.

Back in 1984, when Ann represented Brittany in court, it was only her second CASA case. Together, Ann and her husband Dan have now served as court advocates for more than 20 Jackson County children, most under the age of eight. Some of their “CASA kids” have been adopted, one enlisted in the army, and sadly one died from multiple birth defects.

But Brittany is the first of the Stern’s “CASA kids” to receive their high school diploma. She had a 3.4 grade point average, was listed on the National Honor Role and won numerous conference titles and medals in track and cross-country.

Of course, Brittany doesn’t remember her CASA involvement or going to court as a baby. She always thought of the Sterns as her Godparents. Brittany said, “They were so nice, always helping us, no matter what was happening.” Brittany says when she’s older she plans to go by her middle name, which is Ann, in recognition of the influence Ann and Dan have had on her life. “They never had to do any of the many things they did for us, but they did, and I want them to know how much I appreciate it.”

The Sterns’ response?

“We knew she wouldn’t have all the advantages most kids receive and we wanted her to succeed, but Brittany is the one who did it. She deserves the credit, thanks to her determination, a little luck and help from caring people like Tony and Judy Sanders with whom Brittany has lived the past few years.”

In August, Brittany will head for Xavier University in New Orleans where she’ll be a pre-med student. She’ll receive both academic and athletic scholarships. Meanwhile, CASA will continue protecting the rights of children in our community. Brittany is living proof that a gift through CFC is doing more than just helping here and now. It is an investment in our future.