Pat Cullen of DeKalb County Court Appointed Special Advocates has been chosen as the Sycamore Rotary Club's Citizen of the Month for September 2009.

Cullen was recognized at the Rotary Club's meeting on September 23rd; she represents CASA, which in turn represents the interests of children involved in custody matters before the courts.  DeKalb County CASA has for years served in this capacity, providing a voice for children who could otherwise be overlooked as they move through the system.

Cullen spoke movingly about some of the cases she has worked on in the past -- noting that these "cases" are in fact real, live children who have become separated from, or abandoned by, some or all of their family.  She urged those who are interested in standing up for the rights of a child in the courtroom, to lend their time and talents to CASA by going through their training program...and then representing them in court, and monitoring their progress in the field.

In addition to her certificate of recognition, $100.00 will be donated by the Sycamore Rotary Club to DeKalb County CASA, in Cullen's name.