Working Together: Lori and Larry Kestila
Did you know that spouses, work colleagues, and family members often team up to serve as CASA advocates together? We interviewed a married couple and CASA Advocates Larry and Lori Kestila about their experience working together as CASA advocates.
Where did you first hear about CASA?
Larry: I first heard about CASA while attending a college alumni gathering. Because I was newly retired, we discussed volunteer opportunities I could become involved with, and the alumni member told me how fulfilling it was for her to be a CASA advocate. I was impressed with her commitment to helping children and I was inspired to do the same.
Why did you decide to become a CASA?
Lori: When Larry first became a CASA, I wasn’t allowed to know anything about what he was working on, due to confidentiality reasons, but I knew I wanted to be a part of impacting lives of children just like he was. I was excited to contribute to the important work he was doing as a CASA advocate.
What do you find rewarding about being a CASA?
Larry: I find being a CASA advocate rewarding because we get to help children who are put in a very, very difficult situation. It is a great feeling to be able to be there for them, see them regularly, and show them they have someone who cares for them, watching out for their best interests.
You are both sworn-in CASA advocates. Are there ways you’ve found it helpful to work as a team?
Larry: Once Lori became an advocate, she joined me on my assigned case. She visited the children, joined me on visits, attended court, and worked on all aspects of the case. When I was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing due to illness, Lori was able to prepare to testify if called upon, and she attended the hearing in my place along with our CASA supervisor.
What has it been like to serve as CASA advocates together?
Larry: Now that Lori is also a CASA advocate, we now serve together as a husband-and-wife team on cases. Our time spent on the cases, traveling, and representing the children is now shared. We spend time working on something together, sharing ideas on what needs to be done. It is time well spent together impacting the lives of others who need us.
What do you think makes you a great CASA advocate team?
Lori: We are both able to view cases objectively. We can look at the whole situation and figure out what’s going on while being able to manage the oftentimes heavy details of a case. I am a strong writer, and Larry is good at investigating. We make a good team.
Is there anything you’d like to say to someone considering becoming a CASA advocate?
Larry: I have no background in education, medicine, or law. If you have a desire to help children and make a child’s life more stable and safe by serving as someone they can lean on, then I think you would be a candidate. If you have some computer skills, the ability to relate to children, and communication skills, you can do this important role. Volunteering as CASA advocates has been extremely rewarding for us.
If you would like to learn about what it takes to become a CASA advocate, please sign up for one of our one-hour Info Sessions. If you have a friend or family member who might share your interest in becoming a CASA, please invite them to attend with you!