Sarah, a member of CASA of East Tennessee’s first virtual cohort, became sworn-in by the Honorable Judge, Tim Irwin, in June of 2020. Sarah began her advocacy journey with a commitment to enrich her personal quality of life. Like many, Sarah was drawn to volunteering after finding it challenging to identify hobbies and interests that would truly bring meaning. She desired to put good into the universe while also dedicating her valuable time to something significant. Once Sarah began searching for volunteer opportunities, she recalled her sister sharing about a friend who served as a CASA in Colorado. Sarah realized advocating for abused and neglected children was the opportunity she was looking for- a way to make a meaningful impact on the world, in her immediate vicinity in Knoxville, and a life-changing impact on an innocent child’s life.
CASA of East Tennessee volunteer advocates are the court’s eyes and ears, providing critical insight into the life of a child and the circumstances surrounding their needs. Sarah’s role as CASA is to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child she is working with, but also to provide family members and caregivers with vital recommendations to ensure they are able to successfully provide for that child. With the goal of reunifying families, Sarah knows how important it is to provide resources for the adults in these children’s lives, so that they can become the parents and caregivers these children need.
Sarah moved to Knoxville in August of 2019 and has found Knoxville to be “the kind of city that has a culture of citizen compassion and care.” She desires to live “in a place where the people are valued- by the government, institutions, and fellow citizens… in a city where people prop each other up, and root for the success of others. I want to live in an overarching world where children are protected and given a voice.” As an advocate, Sarah is the voice for a child during some of their most difficult times. She serves as a citizen of Knoxville looking out for others who are not able to look out for themselves. Sarah hopes her efforts will enable children to grow into strong, contributing members of this same community she has learned to call home.
When you give to CASA of East Tennessee during Big Give Knox 2020, you provide advocates, like Sarah, access to evidence-based training on the needs of children and best practices for caregivers. This will ensure they are equipped to speak on behalf of a child, who has entered the child welfare system through no fault of their own.
Your gift provides continuous supervision and support as Sarah works giving recommendations that would allow access to educational opportunities, mental health, social supports, and stability for a Knox County child. Volunteers like Sarah typically advocate for four children per year, allowing them the time to focus intensely on each child’s individual needs and to make recommendations unique to their circumstance. CASA of East Tennessee recruits, trains, and supports advocates who commit to remaining with a child from the appointment through permanency, often being the one stable adult in an overburdened system. Your contribution of $32.13 a month allows CASA of East Tennessee to ensure that a child has a committed, well-trained, invested advocate, like Sarah, until they find a safe, loving, and permanent home where they can thrive.
Please visit https://www.casaofeasttn.org/biggive for more information.
