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Charles T.

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1 reviews

Review for CASA Of Central Texas, Inc., New Braunfels, TX, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

CASA is a national network which recruits, trains and supports volunteers who are appoimnted by judges to watch over and advocate to the court for individual abused or neglected children who come before the court. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have had the impression that the families with whom my wife and I have worked as CASA volunteers have been encouraged, through our involvement and relationship, to have faith that a just ending was likely, and have thus been more patient with and able to derive more benefit from the judicial process. I have also felt confident that the Family Court Judge and the involved attorneys have found our contributions truly valuable.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

It appears to me that CASA would serve better if it could serve a larger number of clients, and that the limiting factor is not volunteers but the financial ability to provide sufficient staff to train and support and guide the volunteers. The staff is excellent, new volunteers appear and are well trained and supported, but with more staff we could grow in ability to serve more of the public.

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

A lot

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Quite well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Likely

What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?

Rather detailed documetation of specific volunteer services is necessary and onerous. I suspect the process could be made more user-friendly.

Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)

I am a retired family physician, and have "seen a lot" over the years. Despite this background, this experience has been a growth experience. Not only have I had the sense that I have contributed something of value, but also I have developed a much greater appreciation of the state Department of Family and Protective Services and equally of the Family Court System and of the attorneys involved. I very much appreciate the people who donate money and effort to support this organization. My wife and I participate as a team. This is somewhat unusual in CASA, but we have found that it enables us to serve in ways we could not serve as individuals.

How did this volunteer experience make you feel?

Proud to be of service, but also more aware of the reality that a great number of families are truly challenged in their abilities to care appropriately for their children.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2011

Role:  Volunteer & My wife and I are currently advocating for our third family. We were surprised in each of our first two cases that although initially the prospects for safe return of the invoilved child/children to return to the care of their biological parents seemed .
 
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