Meet Michael! He decided to become a CASA volunteer during the spring of 2020 after seeing the impact of the pandemic on the child welfare system. He had heard how there was an increase in child abuse and domestic violence because people were home more. He also realized that these incidents were not being reported as frequently as they should have been, largely because children were not in school and social workers were not making home visits. Michael recognized that the need for advocacy was greater than ever.
Since becoming a CASA, Michael has taken a case where he advocates for a young boy who is in foster care. Michael enjoys spending time with him and having fun. Yet being a CASA volunteer is more than that. Michael is also an objective observer for the court and testifies to the boy’s best interests at each hearing. When asked whether he had any advice for someone interested in volunteering, Michael said, “It’s an important commitment, so you should be thoughtful about it and not take it lightly, but the team will be there to support you along the way!
“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.
Since 2019, Lisa McNeilley and Ingrid Fournier have poured their hearts into Mom Always Says, an annual event honoring motherhood in all its forms – stories of nurturing mothers, complicated maternal relationships, and women who played a “mom” role.
When Christina Baur reflects on her identity and purpose, one word always rises to the surface: advocate.
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