Angie Jones
Executive Director
[email protected]
(501) 340-6946
Angie has been with CASA for over 8 years. She first served as a Volunteer Advocate before transitioning to the role of Advocate Supervisor with Grand Prairie CASA. She joined Pulaski County CASA in early 2020 as the Program Coordinator and became Executive Director in July 2022. Angie was raised in Central Arkansas and has over ten years of experience working with children and families. Angie is a Certified Volunteer Manager and her goal is to work in conjunction with the County Government, Staff, Volunteer Advocates, and Pulaski County Friends of CASA, Inc. Board of Directors to maintain the highest program standards, grow, and strengthen Pulaski County CASA.
Angie is active in her church and community. Together she and her husband, Eric, have 3 grown children; Jerril, Hannah, & Fox, and three precious granddaughters: Lilly, Rosalee, & Sierra.
Stanley Barnes
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(501) 340-6778
Born number 5 of 6 children to a single mom, Stanley Barnes, grew up living in the largest housing project in the state of Arkansas located in Little Rock. He was faced with crime, drugs, poverty, and the fact that nothing good was expected to come out of the projects. He overcame the odds that were stacked against him to be the first one in his family to go to college.
Now also a minister, Reverand Barnes has over 40 years of leadership and quality experience in youth and adult mentoring, mental health, sports and community-based programs. Since 1983, he has held supervisory and leadership roles at prominent companies, agencies, and schools in Central Arkansas. He has over 40 years of related experience, excellent capabilities, and a strong desire to truly mentor children, youth, young adults, and others by helping develop them socially, spiritually, mentally, and physically while empowering them to achieve their optimal level of health to become outstanding citizens in their communities, and society.
In addition to his role as Program Coordinator at Pulaski County CASA, Rev. Barnes currently serves as the founder and CEO of Building Bridges/Mending Fences Mentoring, a mentoring program, relationship-building skills training, and consultant ministry that travels across the country training, empowering, and encouraging mentors to build positive relationships with youth, their families, and others that last a lifetime.
He has been honored as a top-five nominee for the Honorable Vicki Shaw Cook Award of Distinction and received mentoring proclamations from the Mayor of Hot Springs and the Arkansas Governor.
Xanthoula Groom
Outreach & Training Coordinator
[email protected]
(501) 340-6732
Xanthoula is a native of Greece. She has lived in Arkansas since 1991. She became a CASA Advocate in 2014. Xanthoula diligently advocates for the children and families she represents. In addition to her role as Advocate, Xanthoula is Pulaski County CASA’s Community Outreach Coordinator and a Certified Trainer.
She met her husband Bruce when he was in the military and stationed in Greece. They have been married for 32 years and have 3 biological children. Several years ago, they became foster and adoptive parents and grew their family to include a fourth child. They are also the proud Papou and Yiayia to 2 beautiful grandchildren. Xanthoula is very active in her church and community.
Ashley Scarlet
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6778
Ashley grew up in various parts of Arkansas as a foster youth from the age of seven until she aged out at nineteen. This is where her true passion for abused and neglected children began. She had her first experience with CASA in her early teens when she herself was appointed an Advocate. Prior to joining the CASA Team, Ashley worked diligently in the hospitality industry as a Hotel General Manager. In addition to that role, she is also an Area Representative for International Student Exchange. She resides in Little Rock with her two biological children (one and 13) and two International Exchange Students (17 & 18).
Ashley most enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, and having random dance parties in her living room with her children. Ashley’s motivation to assist foster youth in becoming successful, happy, and well-rounded adults is what makes her a perfect fit for this role. She hopes to use her life experiences to help children find comfort and calmness after the trauma.
Meri Ann Wyn
Advocate Supervisor
[email protected]
(501) 340-6741
Meri Ann Wyn newly relocated to Arkansas from the Pacific Northwest. She grew up in West Michigan where her family was tribal affiliated with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
She is a veteran that served in the United States Army for 10 years. In the military, she worked as a Mental Health Specialist and was trained as a Combat Medic/EMT.
Meri Ann went to Saint Martin’s University in Washington State, where she attended her graduate program and earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Community Services. With both academic disciplines, she graduated with magna cum laude honors. She is currently enrolled in an intensive post-graduate level certificate program in traumatic stress studies from the Trauma Research Foundation.
Meri Ann has extensive experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, such as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health, adoptions, and early childhood education. She initially became involved in child advocacy through her volunteer work as a CASA. Meri Ann enjoys working with families, and she is happy to be part of a wonderful team with Pulaski County CASA! A favorite quote of hers, “To a child love is spelled T-I-M-E.” – Zig Ziglar
