Benefits of Being a CASA
Navigating the complex child welfare system and mentoring children who have endured heart-wrenching trauma in their life….why would someone take on such a difficult volunteer role? Because for many Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), the role is one of the most important and satisfying things they’ve ever done.
Being a CASA is not just about volunteering; it's about making a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable children. And the beneficiaries are both the youth and their adult advocate. Many advocates report a deep satisfaction in helping children but they also experience tremendous personal growth, professional development, and often develop a profound relationship with the youth they serve.
Witnessing growth in the children they are matched with can be profoundly rewarding for CASAs. According to Steffanie Bellasco, a CASA OC volunteer, “The rewards of being a CASA overcome everything else. It’s so gratifying to see the changes over time. On our first outing, Nadine sat in the backseat of my car and was rocking with anxiety. By our third outing, she chose to sit next to me in the front. Those little gains, while not pushing too hard, make it so worthwhile. I love everything about being a CASA and always want to be a part of her life.”
Children in foster care experience frequent disruptions in their lives. They may move from placement to placement and have to start all over again at new schools, with new teachers, friends, social workers and resource (foster) parents. A CASA is often the only consistent, reliable adult in their lives. This important one-on-one relationship provides children with stability, support, and a sense of belonging. This relationship is invaluable and can profoundly influence the trajectory of a child's life.
Kathy Lawrence has been an Orange County CASA for eight years and she says, “It’s so rewarding, It’s just about time and patience. You have to go into this with managed expectations. We are just here to help kids move on to the next phase of their lives. If my kiddo takes one little thing and it helps him be successful, I will have done my job.”
For some volunteers who work demanding full-time jobs, the benefit of being a CASA adds a profound layer of meaning and purpose to their life. CASA OC advocate Sarah Heo says, “Now that I know this work exists, I can’t not do it. Volunteering with CASA gives me a tangible feeling of doing something that has purpose. For me, volunteering is a form of rest, it takes me away from what I do every day for work. And it doesn’t take as much time as you’d expect.”
Many CASAs report that the multiple opportunities to interact with fellow advocates is another benefit of the work. The annual summer CASA Conference, the ongoing training opportunities, and the many CASA Connect and CASA-To-CASA events all help solidify the bonds they feel with their fellow volunteers and with the CASA staff.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of volunteering as a CASA and how you can change the life of a youth in need of support, please join us for an upcoming Information Session or contact Volunteer Recruitment Manager Norma Mendoza.