CASA volunteer Margaret draws perspective from the complexity of advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. In the toughest situations, she sees the smiles on the faces of the youth she has served as the ultimate reward.
“There’s so much joy in volunteering. The potential to impact a small part of someone’s life and bring a little light into very difficult situations is very rewarding,” Margaret said.
Margaret has always felt passionate about supporting underserved children, and not having opportunities to support them in her career in commercial real estate, she has sought out volunteer experiences to fulfill that need. She’s been on the board of Texans CAN Academy-Austin, which provides educational opportunities for at-risk students in Texas, for four years. As she continued that work, she realized she wanted to connect more with kids directly. So, she waited until the right time in her life to volunteer with CASA and then jumped right in.
A year and a half later, Margaret has devoted everything she can to advocate for her youths’ best interests as a CASA volunteer, finding inspiration from the “incredible” teams that surround each child’s case.
“Getting to meet the team of people and watching these CASA staff who are devoting their lives to the well-being of these children is incredible to me. I’ve watched all parts of the system work together in the best interest of the kids. We are all fighting for the same cause,” she said.
“Getting to meet the team of people and watching these CASA staff who are devoting their lives to the well-being of these children is incredible to me. I’ve watched all parts of the system work together in the best interest of the kids. We are all fighting for the same cause,” she said.
Despite taking on a complex case with fast-moving parts in her first year as a volunteer advocate, Margaret has found joy in every small win for the youth she is serving. Throughout the case, which has had ups and downs, Margaret and the youth’s advocacy team have successfully recommended a safe permanent placement for the child. By learning and understanding their trauma and life experiences, she knew the youth needed stability first.
“It can feel like a big task to figure out what is truly in a child’s best interest when there are a lot of different dynamics at play. A lot of times kids don’t know what is in their best interest themselves. You truly have to look at the big picture and figure out what is best among the options. Having a stable placement with people that care so greatly for them has been amazing,” she said.
Some might feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the uncertainties and changes in her assigned cases, but Margaret focuses on moving forward and taking everything one step at a time.
CASA Program Manager Ty recognizes her steadfast approach. “Margaret is really unafraid to stay strong in her advocacy for what is in a youth’s best interest. She does a really great job of balancing giving youth agency while supporting their best interest,” he shared.
“The impact you can have on the kids is so worth it. The CASA team puts so much thought into who they assign to each case. And there are so many options, like becoming a Family Finding volunteer, that it really can be for anybody,” she said.
Margaret knows becoming a CASA volunteer may not seem right for everybody, but if you have the time, she said, “The impact you can have on the kids is so worth it. The CASA team puts so much thought into who they assign to each case. And there are so many options, like becoming a Family Finding volunteer, that it really can be for anybody,” she said.
For someone who does want to jump in and be a volunteer, her advice might not surprise you: don’t be afraid to ask questions and be curious. “It makes a big difference,” she said.
Bring joy to a child who needs an advocate in their life as a CASA volunteer. Attend an upcoming Info Session to learn more.
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