Elizabeth Voglewede receives 2022 Governor’s Service Award

St. Joseph County

Elizabeth Voglewede is the epitome of giving herself to create opportunity, equality, and a better community for all. Elizabeth served to support many communities and organizations during the last two decades. Elizabeth has been a lifelong teacher, mentor, coach, and leader. She served as an elementary teacher in Benton Harbor and middle school teacher in Berrien Springs, where she was also a cross country coach. After stepping away from teaching, Elizabeth founded a local chapter of MOMs Club International, creating support for local new mothers. She helped in continuing to support education by becoming President of a cooperative preschool, leading it for several years. Elizabeth donated time to tutor students, support teachers, and even set up a school dissection program in the elementary school as programs were cut. Elizabeth served as the President of the PTO and served on the Board of the band and orchestra parents. She also served as a coach and site liaison for Girls on the Run, constantly seeking ways to bring kids opportunities to grow and become their best. Simultaneous to helping at the schools, Elizabeth has been a Girl Scout leader for over 20 years. When COVID hit hard in 2020, Elizabeth did not hesitate to take on more. She volunteered to help support vaccine clinics and found ways to support those most affected. Always an advocate of kids and the most vulnerable in our community, she trained and became a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer. Elizabeth helped foster kids by supporting them through the courts during times of both virtual and in-person sessions. She has already impacted the outcomes of several children, changing their lives forever. She chose to do even more by becoming a guardianship reviewer for the courts. Elizabeth brings the best of herself in service of others, without seeking attention, awards, or accolades.

Learn more about CASA of Southwest Michigan here https://casaswmi.org/