Volunteer Spotlight -
Susan & Paul Miles
“Be open, be respectful, and appreciative of each other's dedication.”
Susan and Paul Miles have built a life defined by commitment — to one another and to their community. High school sweethearts who met 48 years ago, attended senior prom together, and dated through college, they are now celebrating over 40 years of marriage.
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Nearly five decades later, their partnership is still marked by deep affection and shared laughter. Susan credits Paul’s sense of humor as one of her favorite qualities, while Paul describes Susan as having “a huge, generous, loving heart.” That heart for service, paired with years of experience in early education, led Susan to explore volunteering with CASA as she approached retirement. After years of fostering children themselves, serving actively in their church, coaching youth sports, and supporting adult learners through Literacy Volunteers of Camden County, becoming CASA advocates felt like a natural continuation of their commitment to helping others.
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They intentionally approach their CASA work as a team. They regularly debrief together, discuss concerns, and collaborate on report writing. Paul’s organizational strengths complement Susan’s relational insight, and both are intentional about supporting one another’s leadership when situations call for it.
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Even after decades of marriage, the experience has deepened their mutual respect. Susan notes how seriously Paul embraced the training and time commitment, recognizing the importance of the role and the impact on the children they serve.
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Their advice to other couples considering volunteering together is thoughtful and encouraging. While acknowledging that CASA advocacy is a significant commitment, they emphasize that sharing the responsibility eases the demands and enhances the rewards. They encourage couples to be open, respectful, and appreciative of each other’s dedication.
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For Susan and Paul, serving together has not only strengthened their impact in the community, but also reinforced the foundation of their marriage. In seasons that are demanding or heavy, they have found that walking through the experience side by side makes all the difference.