Purposeful Perspectives: Volunteer Week

As we see signs of Spring in the Georgia every April, with flowers blooming and the daylight extending, I always feel hopeful and more positive as nature reminds us of the powerful forces of renewal and reinvention. National Volunteer Week takes place in April (20-26) and is a great chance to recognize the service of CASA volunteers in Georgia.   

I had the opportunity and privilege to volunteer with Dekalb CASA several years ago. My assigned child was a teenager who had been through many placements by that point in her life. My own kids were quite little then, so I learned an awful lot very quickly about teenagers! As a CASA volunteer, I made a commitment to always actively advocate for the best interest of this young lady, even when she was mad at me and even when things were challenging. Was I able to blot out the experiences that had led her to experiencing foster care? No, of course not. But I witnessed how having someone steadfastly want the best for you and act in your best interest is a profoundly impactful experience. 

Attending her cheerleading team parent meeting when no one else would or could, provided hope for her. Actions of commitment provide a child with the opportunity for a better outcome. CASA volunteers stand before the judge and advocate for the services and support for a child experiencing foster care needs. My child may not have enjoyed it at the time (to say the least!), but appearing at her school conference to discuss her grades with her counselor let her know that I knew she could do better, and that I saw more in her than her behavior. It provides hope for a child to have someone tell them they absolutely can be the first in their family to graduate high school and that their cheering section is ready.   

A trained CASA volunteer provides a fresh and powerful hope to children and families in crisis who have experienced a dark period of their lives. Now, as a board member for Georgia CASA, I can see the bigger picture of CASA volunteers’ impact across the state. We are grateful beyond words for each of our CASA volunteers in every county in Georgia. They make the choice to make a difference in their communities in a very meaningful and direct way. Although our work and commitment continue year-round, we take this week to recognize the efforts and dedication of our current volunteers and extend a welcome to those considering becoming a CASA volunteer.   

As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, we recognize that holidays can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. In this series, Purposeful Perspectives, we asked our staff members to select a season, month, or day that is meaningful to them to share with our CASA community. Thank you for joining us as we take a deeper look behind the celebrations that fill our lives.