Volunteer Spotlight -
Cindi O' Brien

Our CASA volunteers play such a crucial part in the lives of the children we serve and earlier last year we celebrated them during National Volunteer Appreciation Week at Jessie Creek Winery in Cape May County. While Cindi was working at the event and after talking to several CASA team members she said “the idea of CASA was very interesting to me”. She started the process to become an advocate. When people ask about her role she says “I just let them know that I’m here as a volunteer to help with the children and see how I can help guide the process”. When asked what aspects of volunteering she enjoyed the most she responded, “The children!.....the children are the best…..you get to play with them and that’s fun and they like you being involved.”

 

The most rewarding moment for Cindi was when her child was reunited with their family. “I just finished a case now and the little girl went back with her father for full custody and she was so excited because she gets to play with her cousins all the time now.” Cindi has not experienced many challenges, she shares that “everyone has just been so kind and helpful with the CASA program”. Cindi recommends if you are interested in becoming an advocate “be open-minded….don’t bring any biases…and realize you’re there for the child and nothing else.” She would tell anyone looking to help “It’s very rewarding, you get to meet a lot of new people…..you get to learn different aspects of life, meet new people, and it opens your eyes.”