Meet CASA Advocate Stacey Giles
Stacey has served as a CASA advocate since 2021 and recently nominated us as a beneficiary for her company’s Giving Madness event with Exeter Finance! We asked her a few questions about her experience with CASA and why supporting CASA is important.
What made you decide to become a CASA?
I worked for twelve years for a company whose philanthropic partner was CASA. We did many events to support CASA, like backpack drives, fund-raising golf tournaments, etc. I learned what a great cause this was and knew I wanted to be more involved. I had young kids at that time and knew it was not yet my time to serve. I felt like it would be better to wait until my kids went off to college before becoming a CASA advocate, but I promised myself that I would look into becoming a CASA as soon as they did. As it turns out, I moved my youngest child into his dorm on the weekend and had my CASA interview the very next day!
What do you find rewarding about being a CASA?
So many things! Watching children thrive through the services they receive is very rewarding. A child in one of my cases was severely delayed developmentally, had health issues, and even had trouble sleeping and eating when I first met him. Throughout the two years of the case, I worked with his support system to help him overcome these obstacles and thrive!
Why do you think it’s important for our local community to support CASA?
The work that we do takes money to get us trained, pay staff salaries so we have the support we need to truly transform these children’s lives, and so much more! I’ve always believed it takes a village. I believe we should always take care of our community the best we can with what is available to us. There are lots of organizations out there that put financial resources toward these types of philanthropic efforts, and I believe it’s everyone’s place to help.
Can you tell us about one specific time when you feel like you really made a difference in the life of a child?
During a recent case, I was serving a young boy who had been removed from his home due to neglectful supervision and substance abuse issues. Our goal was reunification as long as that could be a safe option for him. So, the OCOK caseworker and I made an intentional effort to keep communication open between myself, the foster parents, the OCOK caseworker, and his parents throughout the case. I could see that during supervised visits, his parents were great with him and that they really wanted to make it work. Although they eventually relinquished their rights because they were unable to complete their services and provide a safe and loving home for their son, I was able to work with all parties of the case to put together a detailed plan that would allow them to be a part of his life after his adoption without compromising his safety.
Is there anything you’d like to say to someone considering becoming a CASA?
Do it! It is so rewarding. While going through training and empty nester transition, I started to second guess myself. But as soon as I got my first case, I began to realize the impact that just one person can make on a child’s case. If you have a heart for children, you will not regret the decision to become a CASA.
You can help us recruit, rain and support advocates like Stacey by donating to our Fund a Child campaign happening now.
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To learn more about becoming a CASA advocate like Stacey, sign up to attend a 1-hour info session.