While I currently serve as the Development Director for Voices for Children, I began this journey as a volunteer for the organization. 

Actually, that's not true - I began this journey during what seems like another lifetime.  As many of you know, I entered the child welfare arena as a freshly minted social worker eager to serve as a CPS caseworker. I spent many years struggling to help families build support systems and develop stronger parenting skills that would enable them to provide a safe and loving home for their children. 

One day I received notice that there was a CASA assigned to one of my cases.  My initial response was 'great, one more thing I don't have time for.' I soon came to realize the unique opportunity that was being provided for the children involved in this case. As a caseworker, I held strong opinions about what was best and what was needed for the kids. I was also aware that my role was to work with the family unit as a whole and that there were policies and procedures in place that I had to follow that did not always align with what my opinion was. The CASA volunteers were not beholden to these same guidelines. Their sole focus was what was best for the children and they were in a position to speak this truth. 

Fast forward a few decades.  My kids were grown and I found myself looking for something meaningful to do that would make a difference. Somewhere I saw an ad for Voices for Children. Then there was a casual mention by someone I knew. Then another mention in a community segment on the radio. So I made the call. I soon found myself volunteering on a few cases. I then had the opportunity to join the VFC staff and work with a great organization and the best volunteers around. Is it the easiest work I've ever done? Nope. Is it the most meaningful and impactful? Absolutely.

Are you still with me? Awesome - let me tell you what VFC does. Voices for Children is the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program serving the Brazos Valley.  VFC trains volunteers from the community to advocate for children involved in the foster care system. It sounds simple, but it has a huge impact for children and families involved in the child welfare system. The common sense voice that reminds everyone in the courtroom why we are all there - the child. A child in foster care is there as a result of the decisions adults in their lives have made. Without an advocate, it is easy to lose focus on why the system exists - the protection of children.  Voices for Children is driven by its mission to improve the lives of children in foster care through powerful volunteer advocacy until each child is placed in a safe and permanent home.

I have created a fundraiser to share why I support Voices for Children and to invite friends and family to join me in supporting advocacy for children in foster care.