CASA staff say THANK YOU to our dedicated volunteers!
It’s National Volunteer Week, and we want to say THANK YOU to our dedicated volunteer advocates, who work tirelessly to serve the abused and neglected children in our community.
From the White House Proclamation on National Volunteer Week: “Volunteering defines America. Our Nation is a place where light triumphs over darkness, where we seek to lift everyone up, and where we lead not by the example of our power but by the power of our example. As those who volunteer know firsthand, service also benefits the volunteer. It can teach important skills, help build professional networks, and provide an empowering sense of purpose. Volunteering brings people together, uniting us around our common belief in the dignity and equality of every person and giving us a chance to learn from others we might otherwise never meet.”
To celebrate, we are highlighting three outstanding CASA volunteers today and are hosting a volunteer brunch this week! THANK YOU!
Meet CASA Pam Darrow
What caused you to get involved with CASA? My increasing concern about human trafficking in the DFW area
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? The occasions when my CASA kids are thriving, acting like normal teenagers, and can see a positive future for their lives. As I have worked with teens, I enjoy helping them with life skills for independent living. I was also thrilled when one of my teens asked if could buy a Bible for her. I gave her a teen study Bible and a card with verses to help when you are feeling certain emotions.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? Visits and phone calls, discussions of their interests and activities
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. One of my kids told me that she loves me totally out of the blue, I finally felt that she was beginning to trust me. Another realized that she doesn’t want to just survive, but wants to live a good life.
Have you used a resource that you would like to share with other CASA volunteers? Attending 5 Stones Task Force monthly meetings, the anti human trafficking task force for Tarrant county. I have heard many speakers who have been helpful to me as a CASA and have contacted some speakers for further information and guidance. I have also learned a great deal about trauma and how to relate to those with a trauma past by reading the book “The Body Keeps The Score”.
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? Being a CASA is a great way to contribute to the community and helping to break the cycle of abuse and neglect. It can be emotionally challenging, but very rewarding if you can compartmentalize issues and remain positive in your life. It helps a great deal to have a Helping Heart who does some CASA training so that you have an extra sounding board when you need it.
Meet CASA Mark Skaggs
What caused you to get involved with CASA? I never had kids of my own; I suppose it wasn’t in the cards. But I’ve always loved kids and wondered over the years how I could make a positive input on the kids in our community. Then one day I heard about CASA on the radio. I soon went to an orientation session, and I was hooked. CASA was the perfect place for me.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? It is especially rewarding to witness over time my CASA kids’ sense of self-worth and confidence grow, their anger and confusion dissipate, and seeing them explore their worlds in just being kids.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? There are so many ways, and all of them over activities. Throwing a football, kicking a soccer ball, bicycle riding, and board games are our usual go-to events. The most important thing is to find the setting or activity that they most like and are comfortable with. For example, a favorite shared pastime with my youngest CASA kid is to hunt for pecans together, and then judge their tastiness. For this hyper kid, that is our most relaxed time together, and which can open deeper conversations as to what’s on his mind, what may be troubling him, and what his dreams are.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. For over a year in my case, my CASA brothers lived separately in two different group facilities, 2 ½ hours apart. From their chaotic and at-risk background, the brothers’ emotional connection to each other was their only reliable one throughout their young lives, and it was heartbreaking to see them placed separately. However, working with caretakers I was able to arrange bringing the brothers together for the first time in months on the older brother’s birthday. Seeing their first embrace, and then playing together, is a memory I will treasure for a lifetime. A few months ago, they were miraculously placed together in a foster family who wishes to adopt. Visiting their new home for the first time and seeing the brothers in their noisy and happy environment completely lifted me.
Have you used a resource that you would like to share with other CASA volunteers? A couple of templates I’ve developed come to mind. I’ve written a letter of introduction for schools that briefly describes CASA’s background and its role in a student’s life, the purpose for wanting to speak with teachers and coaches, with attached court assignment letter and ID badge. This has proved useful in opening doors. I’ve also developed a handy (to me) Excel template for tracking mileage, gifts, and out of pocket expenses and for tax purposes. Finally, I’ve used the Google Translator app for communications with my CASA kids’ biological father, who speaks only Spanish. However, my most important resource is my network of collaboration with my CASA Child Advocacy Specialist, OC-OK, ad litem, and other key caretakers in my CASA kids’ orbit. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of nurturing this important network!
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? Don’t ever doubt whether you can be an effective CASA Volunteer. If you genuinely care, then you’ve got the most important ingredient. When you really care, your CASA kids will know it, and it can make a difference in their lives. Finally, I especially encourage men to step forward to volunteer. Guys, there’s really nothing like it, and seeing the fruits of trust reflecting in kids’ eyes where it was lacking so much before. These kids desperately need a solid male to model stability, accountability, and care. Rewarding? Oh, yeah.
Meet CASA Shannon Sanchez
What caused you to get involved with CASA? One thing I have learned is never to say “never.” Originally from Virginia, I was required to travel to Texas two to three times a year for a number of years and said that I would never move to Texas. Not that I have anything against this beautiful state, but I am an east coast girl born and bred. But here I am.
I am not a religious person, but I do believe that God orders my steps and in 2019 I felt the call to move to Texas. Specifically, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and at the time I did not know why. I just knew that I had to go.
After being here for several years, my contract ended, so I began looking for another position on LinkedIn and stumbled across a profile for a Child Protection Policy Manager. I became intrigued. Coming from a policy background, I thought how amazing it would be to be able to merge my experience in policy along with my passion for helping others. I sent the individual a message, we then connected on Zoom, and from there she introduced me to the Public Policy Director for Texas CASA, Ms. Sarah Crockett. Sarah and I scheduled a zoom meeting where she shared with me about her role in her official capacity as well as her role a volunteer as an advocate. Yet again, intrigued. I wanted to know more. So, I signed up for the Texas CASA information session and the rest is history.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? I helped raise another child who I consider as my own, but I did not see this again in my future once my girls were grown. Again, never say never. Being able to impact another child’s life through advocacy has been one of my life’s greatest joys. Seeing the smile on my CASA child’s face lights up my day. Being told that he was once mute but knowing that he freely opens up and speaks to me is something that I do not take lightly.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? We connect through conversation, games and our favorite snack – Hot Cheetos. We speak frequently about various topics from school, sports, his concerns, etc. Every month, I have lunch with him at school and we end our time by playing a game of UNO. Which he always wins by the way.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. After dropping off donated gifts to him a few days before Christmas, he still requested that I come back to spend some time with him on Christmas day. That spoke volumes to me. His request was granted, and the two-hour drive was worth it.
Have you used a resource that you would like to share with other CASA volunteers? I utilize various resources to assist him and his family from organizations like Chosen Ones in Fort Worth to DFW Angels located in Dallas that provide mentorship services for children in the foster care system. I encourage CASAs to use every resource at their disposal. I have reached out to businesses and nonprofits for sponsorships and my CASA child was afforded the opportunity to participate in his first football camp this upcoming summer with professional NFL players. His dream is to become a professional football player when he grows up. Unfortunately, children in the system do not always have the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities or having things like a cell phone or driving privileges as a teenager. Playing football has always been a dream of his, so I wanted to see how we could make this dream come true for him. In camp this summer, he will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football from the pros and learn his position. I believe that this is only the beginning for him.
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? If someone was on the fence about becoming a CASA, I would say don’t hesitate. Jump off and get involved. You never know the impact that you could have on a child’s life. Our kids need you and your involvement could change the trajectory of their life forever. I believe one of the reasons I was sent to Texas was to help change lives and I am honored that I was given this opportunity through Texas CASA, and you can make a difference too!
Not only have I helped play a small part in my bud’s life (that’s my nickname for him), but he has also changed my life in so many ways as well.