“There’s a big difference between wishing for a better world and participating in one,” says Senator Winnie Brinks. It’s a belief she’s lived out over years of public service, a commitment that started long before she entered the Michigan Legislature.
Before holding office, Senator Brinks worked in local schools, where she saw up close the many children who face serious challenges—challenges that go far beyond the classroom. Later, as a caseworker, she helped people stay employed while dealing with personal crises that could have easily pushed them out of work. These early roles gave her a deep understanding of how systems affect real people, especially those who are already struggling.
“It was important to me that the ones making decisions in our state were people who cared about making government policy and programs work for those who struggle most,” she says. That conviction led her to run for office—and continues to shape the work she does today.
In both the Michigan House and Senate, Senator Brinks has focused on making life better for families. She has championed clean water initiatives, equitable maternal healthcare, and access to affordable prescription drugs. At the center of it all is a simple goal: to help people live healthier, more secure lives.
That goal aligns closely with the mission of CASA. Senator Brinks sees the difference CASA volunteers make in the lives of children. “There are so many people who struggle with the basics of survival – and that plays out every day in our child welfare system,” she says. “CASA makes it possible for good-hearted people to do more than wish for a better world— it empowers them to make a tangible, life-changing difference for kids who are going through the hardest time of their lives.”
She also understands that the rewards of volunteering often go both ways. To those thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer, she offers this encouragement: “Being a CASA allows you to be a participant in the kind of world you want to live in—where a child’s feeling of helplessness might be met by at least one caring, attentive adult who will make a difference. I’m guessing you’ll walk away feeling like you were the one who benefited most.”
For Senator Brinks, building a better world means stepping up—and encouraging others to do the same.
This story is featured in the Summer 2025 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.
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