As the year comes to an end, I think of all the ways in which volunteering to advocate for children with CASA of Middlesex has changed my life. We often talk about the difference volunteers make in the lives of the children they are assigned to, yet don’t say enough about how our lives are changed irrevocably in turn.
As I think about my work with CASA, I'm reminded of the Garrison Keillor quote, "Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” I truly believe this and over the course of the year advocating for children of all ages, I have never felt this more. There are times when my CASA child needs me, and the simple act of picking up the phone and listening does so much. Sometimes children, adolescents in particular, just need someone to see them and be there for them.
There are things I have done for young children in foster care that they will never know about. Phone calls to caseworkers, family members, nurses and other parties in which important conversations based around the children were had. Over the course of the year some of the children I advocate for have changed schools. Having a CASA volunteer to contact the schools and talk about the child with their teachers and school social workers has been invaluable.
They never knew but every court hearing I attended whilst advocating for therapy, up to date doctors’ visits and more, was all for them and their wellbeing. They never knew but each visit and every game we played, had another purpose which was to ensure that their most basic needs were being met and that they were afforded opportunities to live their best lives. He never knew it, but that one spontaneous hug from a young child with developmental disabilities, meant the world to me.
Dear reader, if you have made it this far, I would like to thank you for hearing my story. I would also like to acknowledge that being a Court Appointed Special Advocate is not for everyone and not everyone is at a stage in their lives to spend hours volunteering every month. However, there is something you can do. You can donate to our organization because every dollar you give, helps our mission of providing a trained advocate for children in foster care throughout Middlesex County. We are now serving 68% of children in foster care who need an advocate, and we hope to increase that number to provide a trained volunteer for every child in need throughout our county.
It takes a village, and we need your help. Now more than ever is the time to come together and support the most vulnerable of our population. Please help us help them and make your end of year donation today. Our children cannot do this alone, and they should never have to.
