Please Consider CASA

In working the articles the Courier has published on the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, I have felt compelled to push hard for those considering volunteering to really discern their decision. I hope maybe to inspire some of you to truly reflect, and take the time to be that person who helps a child through their hardest time. Mark Douglass makes a compelling case for how much of an impact a single CASA can have in helping children by advocating for them and truly being a strong voice for those so often misunderstood and marginalized, people we call kids. An impact one person can have in a single child’s life can never be overestimated.

I spent Veteran’s Day addressing the community on how to best salute those who have served. I truly do intend for as many people as possible to offer some selfless act to their community in solidarity with vets. I would say volunteering as a CASA would be an extraordinary and selfless act that not only impacts a child today, but could alter their life for the better, forever. Mark Douglass told me in our last interview that this really is a one-person game. One person could change quite a few lives by being a CASA. 30 children are awaiting your help as I write this!

I am a father of four with one more to come in May (yes I am bragging), and God forbid if they were in need I would truly hope they would have a community like Glasgow to support them. I have been awed by our ability to pull together, and I find I write almost weekly about how we raise funds, build projects, support those in need, and rally to help families who lose their homes, or fall short for some reason or another. It is remarkable that a community like this is always willing to support each other through thick or thin.

I am also certain, as my wife and I have struggled deciding how to serve youth in our own lives, that this is no easy decision. My wife is the director of Faith Formation at St Raphael’s Parish working with the youth of our Parish, and still has considered thoughtfully, but not guiltlessly, unfortunately, in becoming a victims’ advocate, something she continues to ponder today. I have volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 861 since arriving in Glasgow, which by comparison is enjoyable and not entirely altruistic, so I too have considered becoming a CASA with what time I could muster. Both my wife and I have also talked seriously about fostering children, but wish to wait until our younger children are old enough to understand and participate in helping others.

My point is I know it is not easy to make such a decision, and I know if you have read this far or have thought hard about becoming a CASA then you are deserving of being commended. I simply want to offer you my encouragement, and tell you that the decisions we choose to do are not often the ones we regret, but most often the ones we fail to do haunt us. Please strongly consider supporting this program for people who are truly, in my opinion, judged for what they do for those who can offer nothing in return. Children are not only our future, but are our most vulnerable citizens, and we must be there in their times of need.

For more information, call Mark at 406-265-6743 extension 1135 or emailing [email protected].