At MHA, we believe that a safe, loving and permanent home is every child's right. Assigned by a Family Court Judge, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained community volunteers who monitor and report on the physical health, behavioral health and education needs of children who are in foster care or at risk for foster care.
"It means so much to have male volunteers in our CASA program," said Jackie Boissonnault, Director of Children's Advocacy Services at MHA. "When paired with a family, our men frequently become role models to our boys and advocates for our fathers. Some males just need someone to guide them, and the men of CASA fulfill that critical role."
Read on to meet the men who are making a difference in the lives of children in our community, and click here to learn more about CASA!
Anthony Z., Adoption Attorney
Q: How does your involvement as a CASA volunteer have a positive impact on the children you work with?
A: It is helpful for the kids to know there is someone out there in the world that is constantly thinking about them, even if we can’t be with them when they get home from school or at dinnertime or other times when having family around is truly beneficial. I can only speak to my situation specifically, but I know the young man I work with is so deserving of love and care, and I hope he knows I am always there for him and always looking out for him.
Q: What would you say to encourage others to get involved with CASA and MHA?
A: So many people get caught up in the big picture and think that their small contributions are barely pushing the needle for anyone, but nothing could be further from the truth. You don't need to spend 24 hours a day dedicating your life to volunteer work to make an impact. One phone call, one letter, one email is priceless to someone.
Richard H., Former Lawyer, Interim Director of Polyphony Foundation
Q: Why were you interested in becoming a CASA volunteer?
A: More than 35 years ago, I spent four years representing children who were abused or neglected in court, and that is how I first heard of CASA. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity – not one to do with being a lawyer, but to do something more hands on that would allow for direct relationship building. Particularly for young boys, this is a great opportunity to spend time with a male role model.
Q: What is the best thing about being a CASA volunteer?
A: It’s a necessary feeling and reminder that there’s a world out there beyond what I do, see and hear every day in my own life. The back-up and support you receive from the CASA staff is invaluable, and it is a real partnership.
Jamar C., House Manager at Residential Treatment Center for Young Adults
Q: Why were you interested in becoming a CASA volunteer?
I had some experience representing young adults in courts through my work with a youth shelter, and I knew how important the matters that courts determine are. I also knew that is where a young person needs to have someone advocate on their behalf.
Q: How does your involvement as a CASA volunteer have a positive impact on the children you work with?
A: I work with an 11 year old who was raised by a single mother who had been involved in drugs and an abusive relationship. He’s in a good place now, and I am happy to provide the male support he needs. He looks forward to seeing me and expresses himself a lot with me, as if I was just a friend visiting him. He is comfortable communicating his needs as he grows up, and I am proud to support him.
Q: What would you say to encourage others to get involved with CASA and MHA?
A: There are so many children who are looking for someone to talk to and build relationships with. They are looking for love, for someone to talk to, for someone to motivate them. CASA volunteers have the opportunity to develop a relationship, perhaps over years. Programs like CASA need support – without CASA, where would these kids be?
Warren G., Veteran, Licensed Master of Social Work, Retired Investment Banker
Q: What path brought you to CASA at MHA?
A: When my wife got a great job in Texas, I took the opportunity to retire and pursue volunteer work with CASA. It became clear to me after a few years that I wanted to learn more about the world of social work, so I pursued my LMSW and ended up working as a behavioral health specialist with Veterans at Fort Hood. My family relocated to San Francisco, where I joined CASA there. Upon moving back to New York, I sought out CASA here at MHA, where I have been since 2012.
Q: How does your involvement as a CASA volunteer have a positive impact on the children you work with?
A: One specific memory is a young man who I kept in touch with over the years. Even though I was no longer working with him, I still went to visit him to celebrate the fact that he got through high school despite difficulties and received his diploma. About a year later, he called me and told me he wanted to do more, and asked for my help getting in to the Marines. He is now in training, and it is so fulfilling to watch as young people succeed and pursue new opportunities.
Oliver M., Caseworker/Vocational Coordinator
Q: Why were you interested in becoming a CASA volunteer?
A: After being directly involved with youth in residential treatment facilities for over two years in a previous job, I felt as if I wasn’t supporting them as effectively as I could. Through daily interactions with youth, I learned that they felt their voices were often not heard and they felt marginalized. Decisions about what was best for them often came in form of opinions from different agencies involved in their case, when in reality they had little input. CASA intrigued me as it was a way to support our young people from an unbiased lens.
Q: What sets CASA apart as a volunteer opportunity?
A: CASA is an incredible organization to partner with as they simply ask you to show up as who you are. Unlike other programs where it is recommended you take mentees to the movies and spend money, CASA brings it back to the basics of establishing meaningful relationships to strengthen community ties.