Heroic Humans

I’ve often heard CASA volunteers referred to as superheroes. After all, they’re at the forefront, advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. But calling them superheroes suggests they have a special set of powers that allow them to swoop in and tackle complex challenges with extraordinary, superhuman abilities. That’s not the reality.

CASA volunteers are not heroes—they are humans. And that’s exactly what makes their work so powerful. Their impact doesn’t come from superpowers but from dedication, empathy, and perseverance. First, they complete a rigorous training process to prepare for the difficult task of advocacy. Then, with careful thought and intention, they select a court case, committing fully to the child they’re assigned to. CASA volunteers build trust, listen deeply, and work to understand the child’s unique needs. They navigate the complexities of an overburdened child welfare system, knowing that progress requires collaboration and persistence. Through it all, they stay by the child’s side until a safe, loving, and permanent home is found.

And that’s why, in 2025, we’re excited to celebrate Humans of CASA of Kent County. This social media campaign, inspired by the ever-popular Humans of New York, gives us the chance to share the stories of all the incredible humans who invest in the lives of children and families connected to the child welfare system. Of course, we’ve highlighted CASA volunteers—but they aren’t the only ones making a difference. We’ve also featured a monthly donor who never misses an opportunity to share CASA’s mission, a banker who attended his first CASA event and became committed to the mission, and a foster care caseworker overwhelmed with gratitude for the CASA who made a life-changing impact on one of her cases. You can read these stories and more on our blog.

In this issue of CASA Connect, you’ll hear about Emily Schichtel, who supports CASA through her current role at Senior Community Impact Manager at Heart of West Michigan United Way, one of the grantor organizations that fund our program. We hope their stories inspire you to share CASA’s mission with others and help us grow our network of supporters. There are many ways to get involved—whether it’s becoming a volunteer, attending an event, or donating a financial gift to support the life-changing role CASA of Kent County plays in a child’s journey.

With more children in need of advocates, we’re asking for your help to recruit the next group of CASA volunteers. You don’t need superpowers to change a life—just a heart for children and a commitment to stand by them when they need it most.

Thank you for being one of the humans who make this mission possible.

This story is featured in the Spring 2025 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.