by Sara Blake
When asked about the deciding factor in Advocate Brian’s decision to become a CASA volunteer, it was a moment with a friend. “I first heard about CASA through a friend of mine who was volunteering, Chris,” Brian remembers. “When he spoke about it, I could see in his face and in his eyes how it touched him. It was so real. In that moment, I was captured.”
“When he spoke about it, I could see in his face and in his eyes how it touched him. It was so real. In that moment, I was captured.”
Originally from California, Brian has lived in several places around the country, including D.C. and Iowa. He attended Texas State, where he received Marketing and Management degrees. Today, Brian is married with a four-year-old daughter, and most of his family have transplanted from Newport Beach to Austin to be closer together.
Family has always been a significant part of Brian’s life. He comes from a legacy of aviation businessmen through both his father and grandfather. After 20 years of working in the family company, he has now branched out into his own: World Aerospace, based in Round Rock.
Those are the moments I knew I was making a difference,” says Brian.
Brian’s first case with CASA, almost three years ago, involved multiple children, and Brian is grateful for how much he was able to learn. “It was pretty fast-moving, so I just dove in and learned as I went,” says Brian. “But I quickly realized how much support I had around me through my supervisors. They were always there to help.”
“I could almost feel the kids leaning on me to ask them the right questions, to give them an opening to safely talk. Those are the moments I knew I was making a difference,” says Brian.
“CASA has impacted me tremendously. To be honest, seeing the impact of this role has inspired me to look for other ways to volunteer in the community,” Brian says.
As the end of the case drew near, Brian remembers feeling a mix of emotions. “During the last visit, one of the kids was crying on my shoulder. As a father myself, it was a hard goodbye. I felt like I had given so much to this case and just wanted to make sure they were going to be okay. But it’s those same hard moments that make you want to do this again because now you’ve seen the difference it makes — including in your own life.”
“CASA has impacted me tremendously. To be honest, seeing the impact of this role has inspired me to look for other ways to volunteer in the community,” Brian says.
“If it’s on your mind, there’s a reason. So keep an open mind and an open heart.”
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with CASA, please join us at a Volunteer Information Session. You may even see Brian there — as a CASA Ambassador, he helps run the sessions and is always happy to talk about his experience and answer questions!
“In my opinion, if you find yourself even thinking about volunteering, you should try,” Brian encourages. “If it’s on your mind, there’s a reason. So keep an open mind and an open heart.”
