Meet Tish! She completed CASA training in January 2022 and has already worked on three cases. Tish shared, “I intentionally retired from my role as a school counselor to do something unpaid because I knew that there’s really important work being done in our community by volunteers.” Initially wanting to work with refugees, Tish was moved by CASA’s mission after seeing a billboard and exploring the program.
Although she had experience working with families and Child Protective Services as a school counselor and mandated reporter, CASA training helped Tish realize that she still had a lot more to learn about foster care and the child welfare system. Training taught Tish how the court system works and prepared her for her first case.
Tish now understands how many community members coordinate to help children and families in need. She knew the system is overburdened, and that some children fall through the cracks, “but seeing it is a whole different experience.” In fact, one of Tish’s favorite parts of being a volunteer is knowing that in her own way she is a part of the community solution to child abuse and neglect.
When asked what she would say to prospective CASA volunteers, Tish answered, “You think you can anticipate what it’s going to be like, but you can never know the rich lessons you’ll learn until you do it… it’s such a growing experience.” Her personal motto: “bite off more than you can chew and then chew it!”
This article is part of the Fall 2023 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.
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.
Emily Schichtel is a West Michigan girl through and through. Growing up in the area, attending Grand Valley State University, and being deeply rooted in the community she loves, it was a natural decision to dedicate her career to serving this region.
Following nearly two years of service to CASA of Kent County, our Administrative Coordinator, Melissa Ronquist, has retired. Please join us in thanking Melissa for her generous dedication to CASA and wishing her well in this new stage of her life!
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