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CASA: Are there any downsides? CASA: What do you wish other people importance of giving back and helping
What is your least favorite thing and knew about CASA that you didn’t those in need.
worst experience? know before becoming an advocate?

BT: They aren’t surprised because I’m

MG: I don’t like it when I feel helpless. MG: That YOU decide how much time a compassionate person. Most people
One of my cases stayed open longer than you want to put into it. Whenever say they couldn’t put up with the rules
I thought was necessary and I wished I I’ve talked to people about becoming (of the court) but I’m here for the best
could do more to move it along. a volunteer, they’re always hesitant interests of a child and that’s always my
because of the time commitment. I, the main concern.
BT: Sometimes I feel helpless, like once volunteer, decide how much time I’m
when my youth got himself into a bad able to put in. There’s more flexibility CASA: If you weren’t volunteering
situation and I didn’t know about it than I would’ve thought. for CASA, what would you be doing
beforehand to try to stop it. And when instead?

his mother is still consulted about his BT: Sometimes it’s difficult to know that
well-being even though she doesn’t take a CASA is a support and can’t change the MG: Nothing. I honestly can’t imagine
an active role in his life. It’s hard feeling outcome of cases. Also, I thought it was not being a CASA!
helpless but when I see his smile it’s all more like a mentoring program but it’s BT: I would still be working with
worth it! not. It’s so much more than mentoring. children in some capacity.
It’s helping a child with more than just
CASA: What are your strongest beliefs their homework. It’s helping a child A CASA is a trained volunteer advocate
about what CASA does? who represents the best interests of a
through a really tough time in their
MG: We really are a voice for the children young life. child in foster care. Each advocate
undergoes an application process,
we serve. I feel the CASA report truly
CASA: What do your friends and including background checks and an
does matter and the court really does
family say when they find out you’re a interview, prior to enrollment in the

value our recommendations.
CASA volunteer? pre-service training program. Once the
BT: CASA’s really do make a diff erence MG: They are always very proud. I have class is completed and the volunteer

in the messed-up life of a CINA (Child 2 sons and I believe it is through my is sworn in as a friend of the Caroline
In Need of Assistance) foster child. County Courts, the volunteer is assigned
work with CASA that they’ve learned the
to a case and gets right to work, meeting
with the child, teachers, guidance
counselors, doctors – all the relevant
people in the child’s life. Th e volunteer

starts to make a difference – make THE

difference – in a child’s life from Day 1.
Does this sound like something you’d
like to do? We are currently accepting
applications for our next training class,
scheduled to begin in September. To
learn more or to fill out an application,

please visit www.carolinecasa.org or
contact Shelly Kulp at 410-479-8301 or
skulp.casaofcaroline@gmail.com.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control
& Prevention funded this project under
sub-award number CJAC-2019-0004 and
VOCA-2018-0063. All points of view in this
document are those of the author and do
not necessarily represent the offi cial position
of any State or Federal Agency. Th is project
is supported by a grant from the Maryland

Judiciary’s Administrative Office of the Courts
number AOC-G20CA0225I.

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