05/07/2026
🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Julie F.🌟
This week, we’re excited to highlight one of our dedicated CASA volunteers and the heart behind why they chose to advocate for children in our community. 💙
What inspired you to become a CASA volunteer?
⭐ Volunteering has always been part of my life and upbringing. My mom was a stay at home mom and volunteered for my brothers and I throughout our childhood. She also assisted with being a leader in 4-H and other activities we did. I was fortunate enough to be able to do this when my children were young and have a degree in Elementary Education, children have always had a special place in my heart and deserve caring adults in their lives. I have known friends who volunteered in the past with CASA and this was a perfect time in my life to start this adventure and give back again to children in a different way.
What’s been your favorite or most meaningful part of volunteering so far?
⭐ Just listening to the CASA children I have been working with. Sometimes I feel adults don't just sit, stop and listen to children or ask them open-ended questions to find out exactly how they are feeling. So many times we think we know the answer already to what a child will say and we stop listening, being a CASA I enjoy just sitting back and letting the CASA child tell me exactly what is going on in their life and how do they actually feel. I feel by doing this, I am giving them the space to openly share their thoughts, ideas & feelings.
What’s one thing you’ve learned or gained from this experience?
⭐ I never knew how complex the Foster Care System was and how many people/agencies are there supporting these children in need. I have been very impressed with everyone and how their goal is the well being both physically & mentally, along with safety of the children in their care they are overseeing.
What’s a fun fact about you?
⭐ For 3 years, I was an elementary school teacher (6th grade) in inner city Washington, DC Public School System.
If someone was considering volunteering as a CASA, what advice or encouragement would you give them?
⭐ Go for it - the best experience I have had in a long time - giving back to children as an adult. The amount of training did surprise me, but in the end it was exactly what I needed to get started on this journey. I look forward to working with this program for many years to come. 💙
❗️Interested in making a difference in the life of a child? Visit our website to learn more! 👉 https://sarpycasa.com/volunteer/