Meet Volunteer Advocate Rhonda Livingston

Would you apply all over again? “Absolutely.” 

Rhonda Livingston is the definition of a vibrant, strong, and warm human being. This, plus her ability to remain steadfast in her recommendations even through the toughest situations is what makes her advocacy so powerful.  

But her story with the child welfare system doesn’t begin with CASA, rather through a personal connection. “My sister actually took custody of her granddaughter so that they wouldn’t enter the foster care system,” Rhonda said. From being a support system for her sister to her previous volunteer work with another organization, the Phoenix Birthing Project, in which volunteers help guide pregnant teens through their pregnancy and their baby’s first year of life, Rhonda became no stranger to the complexity of the child welfare system.  

In the end, Rhonda’s strength to stick to her gut about the recommendations she knew were in the boys' best interest proved worthwhile. The boys were able to attend the same school, live within the same neighborhood, and continue to grow close together under the care of two fictive kin placements. 

Then, just as Rhonda was settling into her new life in Austin, Texas, a new change came her (and everyone’s) way— the pandemic. With more time on her hands due to finding a new career path along with looking to be a part of a positive change, Rhonda found CASA.  

Her first and only case to date entailed serving four middle-school-aged boys. And it was through this case that Rhonda truly embodied the resiliency and transformative advocacy of a CASA volunteer. She was ready to advocate for their best interest, even if the recommendation stood alone in the courtroom. “It was a really tough moment when I had to advocate for a placement recommendation that the other parties on the case didn’t agree with. But my CASA Supervisor was there to support me every step of the way.” The placement recommendation wasn’t the only thing Rhonda advocated for. She advocated for services to meet a multitude of needs, including grocery assistance, trauma-informed education for their fictive kin placement, and to her, one of the most important factors — their education.    

In the end, Rhonda’s strength to stick to her gut about the recommendations she knew were in the boys' best interest proved worthwhile. The boys were able to attend the same school, live within the same neighborhood, and continue to grow close together under the care of two fictive kin placements. 

And who is Rhonda outside of being a CASA volunteer? Someone who has a lot of experience living in a variety of destinations including Northern California, Arizona, Florida, and now Austin, Texas. If she’s not sleeping (“yes, I do consider sleeping a hobby!”), you can find her enjoying a rollercoaster at an amusement park or spending time with her daughter. More so, Rhonda is someone who will make you feel as though you just received a batch of freshly baked cookies, has a laugh that is filled with immense joy, and will inspire you with her wisdom.  

Her advice to anyone who is thinking of becoming a CASA volunteer is to understand how crucial your role is within a case. “Even though you are there in a temporary role, be mindful of how vital the role is.” 

"I think what CASA does is it bridges the gap between the agencies that have a lot going on with multiple cases — more individual attention to a particular case [is given] by bringing a CASA volunteer on board.”   

When asked which word she would use to describe CASA, “Awesome,” she chuckles. “CASA is awesome. I think what CASA does is it bridges the gap between the agencies that have a lot going on with multiple cases — more individual attention to a particular case [is given] by bringing a CASA volunteer on board.”   

Volunteer Profile 2023 Volunteer Advocate