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| Library: Advocacy | |||||
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Volunteers Use Talents to serve CASA/GAL Two Ways |
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| Document Author: National CASA - Carla Spaccarotelli,
Editor Publication: The Connection, Spring 04 Posted: 4/04 |
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Around the county, some CASA/GAL programs benefit from their volunteers
doing “double duty”; these advocates use their talents (writing, painting
and designing) to provide recognition and even funding in some cases. Many
CASA volunteers contribute to our cause not only by advocating in court for
children or working at CASA fundraisers but through their own personal work.
In 1979, while living in a rural town in Iowa, where the local economy depended mainly on agriculture, Cynthia Reece became frustrated in her search for an elementary teaching job. That frustration however led to the beginning of Cynthia Reece Jewelry and a benefit for her local CASA program. In addition to her advocacy work as a CASA volunteer, she donates proceeds from the sale of her jewelry to CASA. Reece believes this is a small way to help a great organization survive tough economic times and help kids survive the toughest circumstances of all. Today, this one-woman operation designs, manufactures and sells her jewelry. She added, “It is fun seeing women get a boost when they treat themselves to a new pair of earrings or find just the right gift for a friend. What’s even more fun is donating the proceeds to CASA. It’s another small way I can help a great organization survive tough economic times and help kids survive the toughest circumstances of all.” Cobb County Juvenile Court CASA Program volunteer and Atlanta-based author Patricia Sprinkle used her latest novel to endorse CASA and encouraged readers to do more for children at risk in their own communities. Sprinkle writes “Lawyers, parents, even the system designed to protect children may have various agendas. A CASA has one only to advocate for the best interests of the child in order to quickly move that child into a safe and permanent home. In years of volunteer service, I have found no program with more potential to make a lasting, positive difference in a child’s life.” Sprinkle’s most recent book, Who Let That Killer in the House, is a mystery story with a subplot about children at risk in a small Georgia town. While there is no CASA volunteer in the story, the acknowledgement thanks CASA volunteers for the role they play in explaining court procedures to children in the system. The winter 2003 issue of the Connection featured a profile about the Dagoberto Benavidez. The same issue featured his CASA inspired painting, Isaak and Victotora, which depicted children in various states: grounded, climbing, flying, waiting and wanting. Dago noted that those are the same stages so many children experience as they maneuver they way through the juvenile justice system. When St. Louis, MO native Gwen Wesley heard about CASA, she embraced the opportunity and became a volunteer in 2000 because she believes if everyone would spare a moment, we could make a difference, one child/one family at a time. This belief inspired the song “Speak for A Child” (see below). In a career that took her from teacher to social worker and later to the corporate world, Wesley gained many perspectives about issues facing children and our society. While pondering the question, “Why can’t somebody do something about the plight of children in this country?”, she realized that “somebody” was herself. Speak for A Child
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