As a former CASA staff member turned advocate, Emily has a unique perspective on the volunteer experience.
Emily has always found joy through working with children, and she spent her high school years working in childcare settings at church and in after-school programs. She majored in Child Development and Psychology at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and continued her studies at Tufts University in Boston. After moving back to Austin four and a half years ago, Emily answered a job posting for a Child Advocacy Supervisor (CAS) position at CASA.
“When I first started at CASA, it was out of a desire to be more involved in children’s lives. Working with children in education settings made me aware of the importance of really seeing the big picture of their lives. I wanted to help in a bigger way.”
“When I first started at CASA, it was out of a desire to be more involved in children’s lives. Working with children in education settings made me aware of the importance of really seeing the big picture of their lives. I wanted to help in a bigger way.”
CASA staff and volunteers are required to attend the same 39-hour training, and Emily remembers being surprised at the depth of the content. “As we discussed the nuances of heavy subjects such as trauma and disproportionality, I realized we were talking about things I learned in grad school,” Emily recalls. “I was impressed with the discussions we were able to have in the classroom, and especially that volunteers were being equipped at this level.”
In fact, her volunteers were one of the highlights of Emily’s tenure on CASA’s staff; so much so that when she moved on to a role at the Central Texas Food Bank, Emily chose to come back as a volunteer herself. “As a former CAS to my volunteers, you guys truly kept me going. And you are part of why I knew my time at CASA wasn’t over yet.”
A few months into her new position, Emily applied to be a CASA volunteer. Her first case has been with a sweet young girl. “It’s obviously a very different experience having one case as opposed to 18 or 20 as a supervisor,” Emily laughs. “But I know my time as a CAS prepared me for all the things I still have to do such as court reports and speaking in the courtroom.” Emily even has advice for anyone who is nervous about the courtroom aspect of volunteering: “I taught myself to treat it like a conversation between me and the judge, not the rest of the room.”
One of the most inspiring things for Emily in this work has been the chance to connect with the family as well as the child. “When it’s possible to get to know the family members on a deeper and more personal level, it allows me to advocate more effectively for the child. It also helps bridge the gap between the family and other parties on the case,” Emily explains.
“CASA is a very special place for me,” Emily shares. “It’s shown me the power of relationship; of knowing someone believes in you and is willing to listen. I’ve seen that both as a staff member and as a volunteer.”
For instance, on her current case Emily has been able to witness the youth’s parent follow through on services, secure safe housing, and prioritize visits with their daughter. “It’s just been so cool to see her confidence grow and her dreams get bigger.”
“CASA is a very special place for me,” Emily shares. “It’s shown me the power of relationship; of knowing someone believes in you and is willing to listen. I’ve seen that both as a staff member and as a volunteer.”
Emily encourages anyone who is interested in the idea of volunteering with CASA to ask questions and attend an info session (our next one is January 30th).
“It’s a commitment, but it is totally possible to do this with a busy life. I know this is good, important work and I will never regret stepping outside myself for a few hours a week to be there for someone else. For me, this is something that feeds my soul.”
