Introducing our new series featuring our amazing and dedicated CASA volunteers! Get to know the individuals supporting our mission and working tirelessly to support foster care children in our community.

When did you get involved with CASA?

In college, a friend of mine told me about the CASA program in Montgomery County, at that time, Anne Arundel County didn’t have a program. I did an internship with them, and during my Junior year, I would drive out to help.

After I graduated and before I had kids, I volunteered as a CASA in Anne Arundel County, and that’s when I got my first case.

Motivation for becoming a CASA:

I saw that there was a real need to have a voice for young people that really weren’t able to speak up for themselves. It was really impactful for me to be able to witness a situation where a judge would assign someone to be at the side of a child that didn’t have the opportunity to have a voice and that person could speak up and advocate. When I saw that that person really made a difference it really motivated me to want to be involved and know that I was helping somebody that needed it.

What do you think is the most important quality for a CASA?

The ability to be open minded and understanding. There are so many children that are in need of assistance in Anne Arundel County. Being open, aware and not having a certain perception of what that type of child one is or who they come from. You need to be able to meet the child, parents and foster parents where they are right now and know your role as an independent party working on behalf of that child is the best quality you can have.

What contribution of achievement are you most proud of?

Proud is a really hard word when thinking of the kids who are involved in these cases. I would consider it more a contribution and how I may contribute to making the situation better for these kids. There’s a couple times where I know I positively impacted a situation and made a difference.

What is a message you would like to share?

There are so many people in the community that hear CASA and don’t know what it is. They don’t dive into the real meaning of CASA and think about what helping a child in need of assistance entails, how much time it takes, ect. My message to them is to take a little time, know that the time commitment is not as overwhelming as you think it is but the impact you can make to a child will be. Get out there, volunteer, you do have the time and it will make a difference.