CASA Professionals Honored by Delaware County Women’s Commission

ESSINGTON – CASA Youth Advocates of Delaware & Chester Counties’ Executive Director Leigh Anne McKelvey and Development Director Jacquona Blackwell were among the recipients of the Delaware County Women’s Commission’s 2023 National Women’s History Month Awards at the Corinthian Yacht Club on Saturday, March 25.

Leigh Anne McKelvey was honored as the “Woman of Achievement (Present),” which honors a current visionary leader from the community. Jacquona Blackwell was named the “Woman of Achievement (Future),” honoring a young woman who is making a difference today.

The theme for the 2023 awards is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." This theme recognizes "women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news, and social media."

Leigh Anne has worked tirelessly to tell CASA’s story and has reached hundreds in the Delaware county and surrounding communities. Through CASA's “Reach Every Child” storytelling campaign and Leigh Anne's willingness to be vulnerable and share her own personal story which lead her to this work, she has inspired CASA and its hundreds of supporters to step up and learn more about the stories of the children CASA serves.

Additionally, Leigh Anne has led efforts to extend her care and advocacy for children to reach beyond CASA's borders, by helping to launch the Voices for Children Coalition, bringing together more than 100 organizations and nearly 300 individuals engaged in the work of advocating for children and families in Delaware County.

“Leigh Anne is a phenomenal leader, helping CASA Youth Advocates of Delaware & Chester Counties to not only support at-risk children in Delaware and Chester Counties every year, but also has led efforts to look to the future for CASA and the communities the organization serves,” says David Cramer, CASA’s board chair. “I am thrilled that she is being recognized for her tireless work.”

Under Jacquona's leadership of CASA's Reach Every Child campaign, the stories of hundreds of abused and neglected children in Delaware County are told. Jacquona helps to develop the real stories of the children in ways that capture attention, touch the heart, and leave audiences feeling compelled to help. Following development of those stories, Jacquona coordinates frequent impact hours, which bring groups of folks from all over Delaware and surrounding counties, virtually and in person, to learn about CASA and the youth they serve. More than 700 people have attended Impact Hours since it originally launched in July 2019.

“Jacquona masterfully tells and amplifies the stories of the at-risk children and youth we serve,” said to Elisha Coffey, Advocacy Coalition Director for Voices for Children Coalition, who presented the awards. “Hir work is critical to ensuring that our efforts are seen and recognized by volunteers, donors and advocates in our community. It is thrilling to think of the work ze will accomplish in the future.”

McKelvey holds a Masters of Social Work degree with a certificate in child welfare from the University of Pittsburgh. She also holds a Children’s Law and Policy Executive Certificate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Leigh Anne is a Licensed Social Worker and has been a field instructor for several social work programs at institutions of higher learning. She was also named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 under Forty in 2021.

Blackwell holds a Master of Social Work degree from Widener University and a Master of Business Administration from Rosemont College.

CASA Youth Advocates of Delaware & Chester Counties is a child advocacy organization serving at-risk children and youth