Decided to Volunteer.....

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

Today I decided to take the plunge and volunteer for an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).  Basically I would be an advocate for neglected and abused children to ensure they are living in a safe environment.  I would gather information for the courts from everyone to doctors to relatives to attorneys pertinent to the case.  I will have to report my findings to the court so they can make any decisions regarding the child(ren).  

It's a commitment of 20 hours a month for a minimum of a year, sometimes one and a half years depending on the case.  And I will only be assigned one family at a time.  

I have been saying for a few months now that I have wanted to volunteer with some organization and for whatever reason I REALLY felt the need to volunteer after my miscarriage.  I feel that we are so blessed in our lives, I mean, even with all the heartache I have had lately, I have a pretty good life.  So I feel that I should give back in some way to help those that are less fortunate than myself.

I am a tad nervous about what to expect.  I am a little scared of seeing how bad the living conditions some children live in.  It's so sad that not all children have the same right as Macy to live in a loving and safe environment.    

SouthSeasBride

That's great Kathy!  Good for you!  Keep us updated on how it goes.

moonstone523

Thanks for volunteering to do such a great service! 

 

MrsChelseaP09

That is an incredibly sweet thing for you to do. Good luck and let us know how things go.

Loskadoodle

That is a great thing you are doing!  You will help those children in so many ways!!

ChangeOfPace

That sounds like such a great program , Kathy.  You have such a big heart!  I hope that you find your volunteer experience rewarding.

tashaandsage

That is so wonderful of you, Kathy! I totally agree with COP that you have such a big heart.

surfbetty530

You are an amazing person, Kathy! Please keep us updated with how it's going. When do you start?

KimandRoss0115

That's awesome Kathy! My old boss worked with a similar program in Pasco County and talked very highly about it.  You're doing great work.

jen812

That sounds great. How did you decide on that organization?

jennybrooklyn

What a great thing to do! Sounds a lot like the guardian ad lietm program here in FL. I have a friend that does it, and I'm familiar with it since my nieces/nephews were in the system. 

MrsShawanaB

Our friend is also a Guardian Ad Litem but he is actually employed by the state of Florida and is an attorney - so he has like a crapload of cases at all times.  I admire him so much for what he does and I've told my H that I feel like he would really do well in a job like that because he loves kids.  It's so great that you are going to get involved in this type of thing and even though it will be hard, I'm sure you will feel a new sense of purpose and reward from the help you will provide.

blondeG8Rbride

I did this while in law school, through Florida's program called Guardian ad Litem (GAL).  It's a great volunteer opportunity and I am sure you will love it.  My particular case was incredibly frustrating as the mother kept trying to come into my child's life and the program kept allowing it despite my objections.  But, I have heard of many people with many great experiences that weren't quite as frustrating as mine.  Good luck! 

2poodles2Love

I think that's a wonderful!  I'm sure you will find it rewarding

Gator_Bride08

Kathy, that is really incredible of you! I'm sure the content will not always be pretty, but you are going to make such a positive impact on children's lives. Let us know how everything goes!

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

Thanks everyone  I start in March and I am excited to dive in.  A little nervous, but looking forward to helping  a child and being a positive influence in their life, even just for a little while.  

I found this organization through a friend here in Texas.  She is a retired Middle School Principle and has been a volunteer for CASA for about two years now.  She is the exception to the rule, she works with two families rather than just one.  Yesterday she invited me to brunch to tell me about this opportunity and I figured hey, why not, it's about time I give back to the community.  Without breaking any confidentiality laws, she kinda gave me a heads up to the conditions I might face.  Hearing some of the stories just broke my heart.

But again, thanks for the encouragement

etteyam

That's really wonderful, Kathy! Let us know how it goes.