Meet the CASA of Southeast MS Staff
Frances Allsup, Executive Director
Frances comes from Hokes Bluff, Alabama! Go Eagles!! Married to Jimmy with children, Adam and & Katie (aka – “Teach”). Being raised on a cotton farm with wonderful parents and a loving home, my passion has always been to reach out to others and share with them the possibilities that the world has to offer them. No mountain is too high!
Learning about CASA, the incredible volunteers and the difference it makes, I began my journey to the unknown world of advocating for abused children.
My vision for CASA’s future would simply be that child abuse be a thing of the past. However, until that mission is complete, I will continue to recruit and train volunteers to make an everlasting impact upon those whom are harmed at the hands of abuse.
Jonathan Mills, Director of Operations
Jonathan comes to us from Baton Rouge, LA. After high school, he became an EMT with Acadian Ambulance Services while deciding what he wanted to do professionally.
After graduating from LSU with a bachelor’s in business, he moved to the coast where he worked with Zachry at Chevron in their HR department. After several years working in human resources, he went back to school to follow a passion to help children in need.
After gaining an associates in Human Services from MGCCC, and a bachelor’s in psychology from MSU, he joined the staff with Jackson County CASA. Jonathan also sits on the Board of Directors for both the Department of Human Services at MGCCC and the Health and Prescription Services of Jackson County. He is also a Board licensed and certified pharmacy technician.
Amber Ehlers, Advocate Supervisor
Amber is a native of the Jackson County area with a background primarily in retail. Amber is one of seven children and has sixteen nieces and nephews who keep her extremely busy. She has been very involved in activities at Grand Bay Community Church and especially enjoys working with the youth groups there. She is excited to begin her work with the CASA program and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of the children the program serves. Amber’s interests include playing the guitar, photography, reading, and any type of nature and outdoor activities.
Abigail Price, Advocate Supervisor
Abbey Price is a passionate advocate supervisor who has dedicated her career to supporting youth in need. With experience as both a foster parent and an adoptive parent to special needs children, Abbey has come to understand the challenges and rewards of providing a loving and stable home for vulnerable youth. Originally from Baldwin County, Alabama, Abbey now resides in Jackson County with her daughter and partner Joshua. Her personal experiences working for several community nonprofit organizations as well as pediatric behavior modification for the past 10 years has fueled her commitment to ensuring that all children have access to the care and support they deserve. Beyond her role as a supervisor, she actively engages with community organizations in her personal time and enjoys being a part of her community events. Abbey found her way to CASA through her own personal story of advocacy and has a special place in her heart for the organization she now is employed.
Haley Aziz, General Admin
Haley Aziz is a dedicated mother of two children and a loving wife. In addition to her family responsibilities, she is also passionate about baking and often spends her free time experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Haley joined CASA of Southeast Mississippi in March of 2024. She is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children in the community who are in need of support and guidance. Haley’s compassionate nature make her a valuable asset to the CASA team, where she works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of vulnerable children are heard and their needs are met.
Brenda Lancaster, Director of Supervisors
Brenda is a graduate of Delta State University, with a degree in Home Economics Education. She was born in the Hills of Mississippi and spent her childhood in the Delta. After graduating from college she moved to the Gulf Coast where she taught for twenty-four years in the Pascagoula School District.
In 1983 she married Conal Lancaster and they started a business, JC Lancaster and Associates, a marine surveying company. In 2004 she retired from teaching and worked as the office manager for the family business. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed their homes in 2005, she, her husband and mother, Virginia Minyard, moved to Pensacola, Florida. Although Florida was wonderful, it was not home. Two years later they returned to Pascagoula.
While looking for a new challenge, Brenda found CASA. Her educational background in Family and Consumer Science and classroom experience provides a solid foundation for advocating for abused and neglected children. Her goal is to help these children find a safe and permanent home.
Beverly Goff, Advocate Manager
Beverly has been volunteering for numerous organizations for most of her life. Among those organizations are the Cub Scouts, 4HClub, The American Cancer Society, and Advocates for Freedom.
Beverly lives in Hurley with her husband Victor and their two beautiful children, Daniel and Madison. They live on their farm, “The Lazy G.”
In 2014, Beverly came to CASA. Since her arrival, Beverly has advocated for 15 children from 6 different families. In 2019, Beverly received the prestigious Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellency (GIVE) award. Beverly joined our CASA staff in August of 2020. Beverly is dedicated to the CASA mission, and being a role model for her children.
Karen Horn, Community Outreach
Karen has been a resident of Ocean Springs for most of her life. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi University for Women with a degree in health care administration and worked as a medical lab technician for much of her professional career. Most recently, Karen was the owner of Horn Island Grill in Gautier. She has three daughters, Kristin, Hannah, and Lauren and attends Mosaic church. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, going to the beach, and traveling to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. She looks forward to working with the volunteers to plan in-service and continuing education events and planning recruitment events to attract addition volunteers in the counties the CASA program serves.
Lynn Lemoine, Advocate Supervisor
Lynn Lemoine is married to Brent Lemoine, and they are from Louisiana. Together, they have seven children and five grandchildren. Lynn enjoys vacationing in different states and learning about their history. She moved to her current location 12 years ago and started a ministry for addicts. Lynn and Brent attend Mercy Ministries Church in Lucedale, MS, where they reside. She enjoys working in their yard, planting flowers, cooking, and reading. Lynn’s passion is helping men, women, and children when they are in need.