Why did you decide to come work for CASA? I had been in the school system for a couple years when I decided to get back to what I truly love – serving kids and families experiencing difficult circumstances. I served as a Guardian ad Litem in Florida for 4 years and after moving to Texas, I researched local programs and soon became the administrative coordinator for CASA of Tarrant County. Six months later, I am delighted to be a Child Advocacy Specialist and help our volunteers be the best advocates for our families!
What is your professional and educational background? I have a bachelor’s in behavioral healthcare from the University of South Florida. I’ve worked in various administrative roles within the past 10 years including at the Tampa General Hospital transplant department, with my most recent role being a special education teacher.
What first caused you to get involved with CASA? Upon graduating college, I felt a call in my heart to serve children from hard places and soon became a Guardian Ad Litem. It was extremely rewarding being able to work directly with the children and help them have a sense of normalcy during a chaotic time in their life. Even when presented with tremendous challenges, it was gratifying to see a case come to close and help a child be reunited with their family or be adopted.
What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA? Understanding that not every child has a blessed life and does not yet have the tools to advocate for themselves. I believe I’ve been gifted with the courage to serve the vulnerable with boldness, compassion and a touch of joy, whether writing a simple birthday card or advocating throughout a complex plan of family reunification.
What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? Working with extraordinarily passionate people with a myriad of talents and variety of backgrounds, all coming together for one cause – to advocate for Tarrant County’s abused and neglected children. We could not do what we do without a strong, supportive team!
Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters. Back in the spring, I worked with a CASA specialist and her advocate to purchase a LeapFrog reader for a teenager who was hospitalized and very behind academically. The advocate was visiting the child at the hospital regularly and read to her during the visit. A couple months later, I had the pleasure of meeting the advocate in-person and it was so rewarding to find out that the gift was a blessing to the child!
What would you say to a potential supporter? Whether you are interested in becoming an advocate or supporting by means of donation, don’t be afraid to help a cause that is usually kept in the dark. With your support, you not only help our program continue to operate, but you also shed a light and educate our community about the very real problem of child abuse and neglect.
Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? Unfortunately, Tarrant County is ranked 3rd in the state for child abuse and neglect cases, but it is important to know that children with advocates have better outcomes throughout their case and later in life. By supporting CASA, you are helping each child overcome obstacles that would be impossible for them to face alone in the intimidating and overburdened child welfare system.
Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? THANK YOU for being the light in the life of a child facing tremendous darkness.