Volunteer Voices

Carol Grimm, Volunteer, CASA of Central Texas, San Marcos, TX

Why did you become a CASA?

I retired in June, 2000, after 32 years in education; first as a 2nd grade teacher, then a resource teacher in special education and then as an educational diagnostician for the last 21 years of my career. At my retirement party, my colleagues gave me a plaque which I have hanging over my kitchen sink. It reads, "A hundred years from now, it will not matter how much money you had, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove; BUT the world may be different because you were important in the life of a CHILD." I wanted to continue to make a difference, and CASA gave me that opportunity!

What would you tell someone considering volunteering for CASA?

I have been the CASA/GAL on 9 cases now, and I know that the work CASA does does makes a difference in the lives of the children we serve! Every child who comes into the care of Child Protective Service needs a CASA. Too many children, currently, do not have a CASA volunteer to be a part of their lives and to advocate for their best interests. I strongly urge adults who want to make a difference to become CASAs for the many children who are waiting for them.