Becoming a Volunteer

I am officially a CASA. (Court Appointed Special Advocate)

As a CASA Volunteer I support & promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused & neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.

In a nutshell I hang out with children who have been abused/neglected, or who are in foster care. I help them thrive in school, and work with a team to help decide where the child is safe; whether it's back with the parents, or if it's with another relative, foster care, or adoption. I started my training in June but with the wedding and everything I got a little side tracked so I finished training last week, and went into court to be sworn in on Tuesday.

I have always wanted to be involved in helping children, and when I lived in Salt Lake I wanted to be part of the Big Brother/Big Sister program but they needed me more time than I was available. As a volunteer, I get to do it in my spare time and I'm only required to give 12 hours every year. 

Going through foster care, changing families, and changing homes is already so hard for the children so it's important that I'm not just in their life temporarily, like everyone else and that they have someone and something stable in their life to go to. I know that this will be hard and challenging, but I also know how rewarding it can be.

During my training one of my requirements was to read "Three Little Words" it's an inspiring story about Ashley Rhodes, she spent 9 years in foster care and shares her stories and the challenges she faced, it's a really good book & I recommend reading it. 

I can only imagine how much these kind of families are going through physically and mentally, and some children end up blaming themselves the rest of their life.  I want to teach these children that the problems they face do not define who they are, I want to help them find their passion and their strengths and give them courage and hope to get through these hard times. Most of all, I want them to know that it isn't their fault, and they are loved & can have a loving family and a safe home. 

 I am really excited for this opportunity I know I will learn so much and I'm glad I have the chance to help a child that is going through their own challenges.One day I hope to be a foster parent, or adopt a child but for right now, this is my calling. I would love to hear from you if you've ever been a CASA, or if you grew up in foster care, what helped or would have helped you the most and what I can do to help these children. Every day in this country, 1,900 children become victims of abuse or neglect, and four of them will die. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, click below to find an opportunity in your area.