Apr 14 2026 20:58
Nancy McCullar
Most people say they want to make a difference.
Hope decided to actually do it.
She wasn’t looking for just another volunteer opportunity. She wanted something real—something that connected her to her community and put her alongside people who truly care. As she puts it, “People could be doing anything, but they choose to be here.”
That sense of purpose is what led her to CASA—and what keeps her coming back.
But becoming a CASA volunteer isn’t simple. It’s not about showing up when it’s easy or doing what feels good in the moment. It’s about showing up consistently, especially when it’s hard. It’s about making decisions that shape a child’s future.
From the very beginning, Hope understood that.
Meeting a child for the first time can be intimidating. There’s uncertainty. There’s pressure. But Hope learned to ground herself in one simple truth: this is about the child.
Every child is different. Every story is complex. And every child deserves someone who will take the time to understand them.
That’s exactly what she did with Spencer.
Spencer (not her real name) had been through more than most children should ever have to face. Trust didn’t come easily—and it didn’t come quickly. Hope didn’t expect it to. Instead, she did what CASA volunteers do best: she showed up, again and again, with patience, consistency, and care.
And then, one day, something changed.
During a visit, Spencer ran up to her and wrapped her in a hug.
For a moment, everything else faded away.
For Hope, that hug wasn’t just a gesture—it was proof. Proof that trust had been built. Proof that her presence mattered. Proof that she was making a difference.
Reflecting on that moment, she said, “This is why I do what I do… I am getting through. I am doing something right.”
That’s what CASA is really about.
It’s not just volunteering. It’s not just helping.
It’s being the one constant in a child’s life when everything else feels uncertain.
And for children like Spencer, that can change everything.