Volunteer

There is a new journey ahead for me. I have just completed my training as a CASA volunteer. A CASA volunteer is a court appointed advocate for children in the foster care system.

We are guilty of many errors and many faults,

but our worst crime is abandoning the children,

neglecting the fountain of life.

Many of the things we need can wait.

The child cannot.

Right now is the time

bones are being formed, blood is being made,

senses are being developed.

To the child we cannot answer "Tomorrow."

The child's name is "Today."

(Gabriela Mistral, poet from Chile)

If you know me, you know I have a desire to teach, mentor, support, strengthen and love children. I have been teaching in early childhood education for over 20 years and now this organization has come into my life at an extremely instrumental time. As I re-examine my career goals, CASA has allowed me the opportunity to delve into and experience a whole new way to serve children. I have not actually started a case yet (I just graduated this week) but I am so encouraged and inspired by just the idea that the skills I have developed in my training can possibly make a difference in a child's life.

This leads me to my next possible journey. I will at this time admit to those reading that I have never obtained a college degree. I attended college in the early 80's and withdrew before I graduated. I have been very fortunate that due to my ability to relate with children, extensive outside training classes and strong work ethic I have been able to build a positive and lengthy background in teaching. When I became unemployed I finally got off my bottom and started to volunteer at some particular agencies in town. Never would I have guessed that just these simple hours of my time would lead me seeking to return to school. Yes, at the age of 48, I would be seeking to earn my Bachelor's in Social Work.

In four months time my mind and life have been in a whirlwind. I have applied and interview for jobs, volunteered at local agencies, completed classes for CASA and have spoken to several colleges in reference to returning to school. I never thought my heart would go through this much change and all for the better. I want to do my part to save the world. I have always been told it is possible and I am beginning to believe.

I saw a story on the CBS Evening News; Starved Kids thrive 6 years after abuse. At first, this story saddened and angered me about the foster care system. But as the story unfolds I was given great hope about those foster parents out there that are giving of themselves to do the best for all our children who have been abused or neglected.

"We can't always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future"

(Franklin Delano Roosevelt)