A Chance to Make a Difference

For several months, I've been planning to bring a new feature to my blog. (That's right--my blog can have features. It's my blog, and I'll do what I want.) This new feature will highlight ways to volunteer to improve your community. Some will be large, and some will be small, but I have strong feelings that we should all be doing something.

However, I've never really gotten around to writing this feature. Friday, I received a request for help to find volunteers for an organization that I passionately support. (Me? Passionate?!? Never...)

Today's post is very long, but the subject matter could not be more important.

For the last year, I've been serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA. CASAs work with the Guardian ad Litem, which is the office of attorneys who represents children under state custody. Some of these children are just babies, and some are nearly 18 years old. They have been abused, neglected, endangered, and often forsaken by those who should be fighting for them. Some are still living with their parents, and others live in group homes or foster care.

As a CASA, I am the child's advocate. Each Guardian ad Litem is a highly-skilled, underpaid professional who is committed to protecting children. However, due to lack of funding, each GAL here in Utah County handles over 100 cases at a time, and many of those cases are sibling groups with multiple children. The CASA is key to the GAL's work. As a CASA, I am the eyes and ears for the GAL. I am assigned to just one case, where I can dedicate all my time and effort to one child or sibling group. I meet with them in person. We talk about their lives, what they have been through, what they want, what they need, and mostly, we play. I give them a chance to be kids. In addition to being the eyes and ears for the GAL, I am the voice for the child. My report is key to the GAL's recommendations and judge's decisions.

As a CASA, I am the constant for the child. Children can be moved several times while trying to find them a permanent home. A CASA may be the only person in that child's life who doesn't disappear or change. I can be the one who shows up each week like I promised, even though their parents don't.

The best part of this work is the kids. I have so much fun with my sibling group that I am currently assigned. They are a spunky little set of brothers with enough energy to power a small country. They are sweet, hilarious, and have such tender little spirits.

CASA needs men and women of all ages to help. Some cases must be assigned to a man or a woman due to the nature of the case, so it's vital for CASA to have a good mix of volunteers to match with their cases.

Is the work difficult? Of course. These children have been through things that I can't imagine. I was given great training before beginning my work, and I have a wonderful support system with the GAL's office for any of my questions.

Is the work worth it? Absolutely. As heartbreaking as it can be, I wouldn't change it for anything. It is not a huge time committment--probably 10 hours per month, all working around your schedule--and the rewards are huge. I feel so richly blessed in my association with these children. I feel the love of their Heavenly Father for each of them as I hold them in my arms and tell them that I care about them.

Utah's 4th District (Utah County) CASA group is looking for new volunteers to begin trainings this summer. Here is the contact information for the CASA coordinator with the dates of the upcoming training. If you can't make it to all the trainings, they just work around that (they did for me):

Court Appointed Special Advocates- Serving the smallest in the community

Training for this unique and rewarding volunteer experience
will begin in June 2008!!!

Schedule:
Tuesday, June 3rd 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 7th 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10th 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 14th 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17th 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 21st 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 24th 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

If there is a date that you would be unable to attend, it is no problem. I can provide home study work to make up the hours.

If you are interested in being a CASA Volunteer to serve children in our community, please contact Nicole Nielsen at 801-344-8516 to learn about our next Orientation night.


Call Nicole and get some information about CASA. She's holding an orientation night where you can meet a current CASA and ask all your questions and find out about the program before you commit to any training.

If you have any questions for me, I'd love to answer them--post on the blog, call, or email me.

Those of you who are not in Utah County--check for CASA organizations in your area. This country is full of children who are hurting and need someone to stand up for them. You could be that person.

Check nationalcasa.org for more information.