By Lynne McKenzie, CASA Volunteer Supervisor
For the past 7 years, I have been an eyewitness to the wonderful developments that have taken place here at CASA of Brown County. When I came to CASA as a volunteer in 2005, I set out to make a difference in the life of a child who had been the victim of abuse. For over four years, I devoted myself to one case and saw how having consistent contact with this youth gave him some reassurance during some chaotic and challenging times.
Further motivated to help promote the well being of children, in 2007, I moved into a new role as a CASA volunteer supervisor. Within this new role, I have been able to guide volunteers in a way that allows them to be most effective in their advocacy. Most often, volunteers come to the program without any sort of background in the child protection system. It is important for me and my colleagues to help them navigate this unfamiliar territory and equip them with new skills and knowledge. This means that when problem situations arise, I make myself available to volunteers to help them work out solutions such as closing the gap of an unmet need of the child.
Based on my unique position, I have been able to hear of the countless ways that volunteer advocates are making a considerable impact. On a weekly basis, I get to hear stories of how children, from young to old, have benefited from having one constant, caring adult in their life. Just recently, a volunteer shared that her 7-year old CASA child told her that he loved her. The success of our program is not always defined by some quantitative measurement.
Our volunteers are what I like to call “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Because of them, children might smile a little more; feel like they actually matter; try harder in school; make better, wiser choices; learn to express their needs and desires; and get a therapeutic break by simply playing and being silly. The stories that volunteers share are uplifting and would warm anyone’s heart. They remind us that in a world that is sometimes overshadowed by stories of calamity, good deeds and people exist around every corner.
They say when we set out to give something of ourselves to others, we are the ones who in fact receive. This has been my experience with volunteering and working for CASA.
It is with a heavy heart that I will be saying goodbye this spring and moving on to the next chapter in my life of raising my own children. I want to extend a very warm thanks to the CASA staff, volunteers, and board members for bringing sunshine into the lives of so many children as well as my own. You are making extraordinary things happen with your time and talents; I know this to be true because I have been an eyewitness.
From the CASA Staff and Volunteers—We’ll miss you Lynne and your passion for the children, your commitment to CASA, and your unwavering support for the volunteers. Best of luck in this next phase of your life!