At work, Phyllis M. Broussard’s colleagues know her as a force of energy, with an infectious enthusiasm and a deep sense of commitment. She’s great at her job, but what distinguishes her is a true servant’s heart – a desire to lift others up and help them succeed.

These qualities of exceptional character are what also make her an effective Court Appointed Special Advocate, a role she has taken on between work and family for the last 10 years. With a mandate to speak for the welfare of children, Phyllis is more than an advocate – the children she works with know her as counselor, friend and mother.

Phyllis’ duties as an advocate for children require her to step into complicated and painful situations, working with children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. But she builds trust to get a sense of each child’s experiences and what his or her future could be. In court, she represents only the child and speaks for his or her best interests. Phyllis has been an advocate for more than a dozen children, with a 100% reunification rate.

Phyllis sees her duties as more than meetings and paperwork – she becomes a confidante and mentor to each child. She wants the children assigned to her to know that no matter what, they have someone in their corner – someone who will fight for them. It can be hard to be a witness for children who are taken away from everything familiar in circumstances beyond their control. But Phyllis perseveres in a spirit of hope that each family can grow and be reunified.