“I became a CASA volunteer because, after hearing so much about the work of CASA volunteers, I knew this was the sort of hands-on volunteer work I wanted to do. In all my years of volunteerism, I have never felt the dramatic impact and importance of the work as much as I do as a CASA volunteer. What could be more important than advocating for a child that everyone has abandoned? You just know you are making a difference.”

“I became a CASA volunteer because children in foster care often get overlooked. It's gratifying when a child goes to a safe home and you know you played a big role in making that happen.”

“I am a CASA volunteer because I believe at my core that all children deserve to be safe, secure, and loved.

“As the executive director of Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House, I have a busy and gratifying full-time job, as well as two young daughters of my own. I enjoy my work on two local boards and volunteer in a variety of community activities. So my first question was: Do I really have time to be a CASA volunteer? I soon realized the only answer to this was; How could I not make time to be a CASA volunteer? We all lead busy lives, but who can’t make time to help a child?

“The reality was that I could not turn away from these children who crave stability and who need a positive influence in their lives. I realized that—in my job—I see critically ill children every day who are resilient and often even happy. Why? Because most all of them benefit from their parents’ constant love, care, and support while they are hospitalized. Children heal and blossom when their needs are met and they are shown unconditional love.

“Neglected and abused children feel alone, abandoned, and often unsafe. I realized that these children, too, would thrive if they found a safe, permanent, and nurturing home. It was exciting to realize that I could play a small, yet important part in making that happen.

“The work that ProKids and its CASA volunteers do is ongoing; there are rarely immediate results. But we celebrate the small milestones… when a child has success in school, opens up to a counselor, or even just smiles. The true payoffs come well down the road… graduations, breaking the cycles of addiction and abuse, having healthy relationships. These are goals worth working toward, and at ProKids they do it as a team and settle for nothing less than the best for each and every child.

“I am glad I made time to be a CASA volunteer. It has made me realize that my children are so fortunate to never have to question the safety, love, and stability they feel in their own home. Won’t you join me in helping more children realize this right?”

Share your success story.

I am a Voice.

To a child silenced by injustice, I am a voice.
To a child with whom the world has broken faith,
I am someone to believe in.
To a child who knows only rejection,
I am unconditional acceptance.
To a child lost in a nightmare, I am permission to dream.
Amid confusion, I am certainty; amid
instability constancy.
Amid cynicism and shame, I am
innocence restored.
In a dark labyrinth of bureaucracy, I am a way through-
A steady arm around the shoulder, a calming voice in the ear.
Where others are moved to pity, I am moved to action.
I am as quick to confront the powerful
As I am to comvort the powerless.
Through I amy be visited by discouragement,
I do not play host to despair.
I do not relent; I do not back down; I do not give up.
In a system of shifting loyalties, my loyalty never waivers.
For while my appointment may come from a court,
My calling comes from within.
To the child neglected, the child abused, the child cast upon
the mercy of an often merciless system.
I am heart and caring anc courage personified.
I am a CASA volunteer.

Share your success story.