Hope isn’t always easy to see. It can flicker, grow dim, or feel out of reach. But for those willing to wait, to look closer, or to simply keep going, hope has a way of shining through. Ginger Randall knows this well. For the past ten years, she’s been a steady, compassionate presence at CASA of Kent County, offering her time, her voice, and her heart to children who need all three.
In those ten years, Ginger has worked eight cases, walking alongside children through some of the most uncertain times of their lives. Each case brought its own heartbreak and its own victories, but Ginger holds onto the bright spots. “I’m really fortunate that most of them turned out well—either having been adopted or reunited with their parents in a good situation,” she reflects. “So that’s really encouraging.”
These positive outcomes are more than encouragement – they’re reminders of why she continues. Every child whose story ends with love and stability is a seed of hope in soil too often filled with pain and uncertainty. Those seeds are what keep Ginger grounded and committed, even when the work is difficult.
Ginger has a heart for older children—those often overlooked, often misunderstood. She chooses to advocate for school-aged kids, especially teenagers, believing this is where she can have the most profound impact. She doesn’t just speak for them in court—she listens, learns, and lifts up their hopes and dreams.
Her journey of advocacy began long before CASA. At the City of Grand Rapids, Ginger investigated discrimination complaints and trained staff on diversity. Later, at Grand Valley State University, she worked in what was then called Special Student Services, supporting students with disabilities, international students, adult learners, and students of color. Her commitment to equity and inclusion eventually led her to the role of Associate Dean of Students.
These professional experiences weren’t just jobs—they were stops in her journey of service. Each role prepared her to understand, to connect, and to advocate with empathy and conviction. “One person can really make a difference,” she says, not as a cliché, but as someone who has lived that truth again and again.
Now, as a CASA volunteer, Ginger continues to be that one person. For every child she supports, she is a steady source of hope—someone who shows up, who cares deeply, and who refuses to give up. Her story is proof that while hope may not always be easy to find, it is always worth seeking. Because of Ginger, hope is not just an idea. It is a presence. It is a voice. It is a promise that no child has to walk alone.
This post is part of our 2025 Humans of CASA of Kent County campaign. Click here to check out the campaign webpage and read more featured stories.
