“If you want to get something done, ask a busy person,” aptly describes CASA volunteers like Aubrey Wilson. 24-year-old Aubrey was working a busy full-time job as an ICU nurse when she started her training to become a CASA. However, halfway through her training, all classes were halted when the Covid pandemic hit and Aubrey began working a tremendous amount of overtime caring for very ill Covid patients in the ICU.
However, despite her demanding job and the unprecedented challenges of that year, Aubrey was able to resume her training via the newly launched online CASA training platform and was sworn-in as a new advocate before the end of that year. Juggling the demands of a busy career while simultaneously committing to volunteer work can seem daunting, but the flexibility allowed in the role of an advocate makes it possible to help a child in foster care work while working a fulltime job.
CASA volunteer Sarah Heo was only 23 when she completed her CASA training and was matched with her first youth. Sarah had a high pressure full-time job but was seeking something to balance her professional work which was very analytical. She signed up for the CASA training which she said was “super manageable” since you can do most of it on Zoom.
When asked about balancing the demands of a career with volunteering as a CASA, Sarah says, “Once you get going, it becomes part of your routine. When I talk about CASA, people I work with often say, ‘Oh that’s so cool but I’m so busy.’ We work 40-50 hours a week but there’s so much more time in a week. The CASA commitment is 8-10 hours a month which isn’t even 1 ½ work days!”
Friends of CASA Board Member, Holly Joseph, used to be an advocate herself and said, “I think people sometimes have a mental barrier to becoming a CASA due to the perceived time commitment. But people probably spend just as much time on Instagram in a week as it takes to be a CASA. If it's something you value, you can find time to do it.”
To streamline advocate’s court reports, the CASA program team recently revamped the process to make that task much more efficient and less time consuming. Similarly, CASA’s training department has tailored continuing education opportunities for busy working people to offer most training in the evenings and online. However for those who prefer face-to-face interactions, there are also opportunities to connect in-person with fellow CASAs on a regular basis.
CASA volunteers always have backup support when they encounter scheduling conflicts due to work commitments or planned vacations as each one is assigned to an Advocate Supervisor. Supervisors are always available to provide their CASAs mentorship, answer questions and accompany advocates on court visits.
Another CASA volunteer opportunity that provides tremendous flexibility for full-time workers is Family Finding advocacy. Family Finding Advocates follow the traditional CASA application and training process. However, rather than being assigned as a mentor/advocate, they support a youth in identifying, engaging, and cultivating relationships with their kin. Since most of this research revolves around using a computer and making phone calls, it’s perfect for volunteers seeking a work-from-home opportunity.
Rosemary Aceves is working on her first case and was excited to share her experience. "Working with the Family Finding Department has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As a former emancipated foster youth, I understand the profound impact that connecting with family can have. In my few months with the department, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of the team as they work tirelessly to reunite foster youth with their families. It's been a pleasure to be part of such a meaningful initiative, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this important work."
Balancing work and CASA volunteerism is achievable with a little planning and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children in need. With flexibility of the opportunity and the available supportive resources, volunteers can seamlessly integrate their advocacy duties into their busy lives, ensuring that no child lacks the support and guidance they deserve. For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer, please visit our website.