Volunteer Spotlight: Will Dawdy

For Will, becoming a CASA volunteer felt like a natural next step that aligned with their goals and passions. As a current case manager and certified Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) trainer, Will was looking for ways to continue supporting one of the community’s most vulnerable demographics: children who have experienced trauma. After a friend shared stories of a CASA program in another state, Will decided to check out the CASA of Kent County website.

After completing CASA training in November of 2023, Will took their first case in February and is now a co-CASA for a sibling group. Since then, they’ve jumped right in, visiting the children at the foster home and investigating the important details of the case. Will has noticed how much the children value connecting with a more laid-back adult figure. They noted, “So many people come and go and ask questions. I can tell they just want someone to play with.” Besides forming a relationship with the CASA children, Will appreciates the investigative work of the CASA role: observing the situation, determining what the children’s needs are, and determining how they can help fulfill them.

In addition to providing advocacy for children on the case, Will has found another way to support CASA. They now lead the ACEs portion of the CASA training class, drawing on their professional experience leading similar trainings for the Arizona ACEs Consortium. This collaboration was mutually beneficial, as it helped meet a crucial need for CASA while giving Will an opportunity to pursue their passion. As Will put it, “Trauma-informed education is a core part of who I am.”

Will offered some advice for folks interested in becoming a CASA volunteer: give training a shot. From their perspective as a community educator, there’s no downside in learning more about trauma-informed care, and you might just find yourself ready to take the next step. Will also emphasized how CASA training prepared them to begin a case, saying, “CASA of Kent County is a very well-run organization. The leadership team is good at what they do and made me feel secure.”

Thank you, Will, for your kind words and for your dedication to trauma-informed advocacy!

This story is featured in the Fall 2024 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.