CASA volunteer Amber discusses what a day in the life of a CASA volunteer might look like!
I am a people person. Always have been. I love to be around people. I especially love working with children. I have worked in childcare for 18 years now and I love my job. But I felt like there was more I could do. More children to help.
So, I decided to join CASA. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I joined in August of 2019 and graduated in September of 2019; my daughter went away to college, so I missed a few classes. I received my first case in October 2019. The case had been a part of CASA for many years. My case has a pair of siblings in a foster home. My first visit was to the home along with my Specialist as well as the CPS worker assigned to the case. I have a backpack I set up with things for my visits.
In it are crayons and markers, coloring books and blank paper, books, card games, my calendar and notebook, as well as my laptop. This helps me be prepared for just about anything. It is always a good idea to find out what the child/children on the case like and then tailor your go bags to them. It makes them feel special and shows that you care about them. We are one of the few constants these children have.
My first visit and the following two were in person due to being prior to COVID-19. I arrived at the foster mom’s home and met the CPS worker. She filled me in on some new information, and we went to the house. The first one I met was an 11-year-old child. He was very shy at first but finally started to open up. The 3-year-old was happy to talk and show me her room. We sat, colored and talked about school and what they liked. My visits usually last about an hour.
My kids were then moved to an adoption-motivated home in January. It is about an hour away from me, so I schedule my visits for Sunday afternoons. My first visit there was to meet the new foster parents and find out how the children were settling in. They showed me their rooms and had such a different demeanor from the last time I had seen them. They told me they liked their new home and were happy there. My visits there usually consist of playing UNO with the whole family. It’s so amazing to see the family as a unit and doing things together.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 our visits are now through Skype. We still talk and have fun. I read books to the younger child and have silly conversations with the older one. I call them at least twice a month, and I text with the foster mom on a regular basis. Communication is key to let them know you are there and thinking of them. This small detail means so much.
In April I was notified of another family case and happily accepted it as well, so now I have two cases. This one consists of 5 children ranging from infant to a teenager. I have not been able to have an in-person visit with them yet, but we have been visiting through Zoom. It is difficult at times because the infants cannot talk and the connection isn’t always the best. But we keep on trying.
Being a CASA volunteer is such an important job. WE are the voice of the children we work with. I am always on the lookout for resources and activities to pass on to the children. I buy books to read to them that are relatable to their situation. I read books and articles to help familiarize myself with the struggles they may face. You can never research enough.