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CBS CARES: From feedback you've received, how has being a CASA volunteer changed people's lives?
PIRAINO: Our volunteers tell us they started out to help a child and found out they'd changed their own lives. The volunteers become experts on the needs of abused and neglected children and their families. They have the satisfaction of using their professional and business skills in new ways. Most of all, there is the satisfaction of seeing a young person move from feelings of betrayal and distrust to a sense of self-worth and hope.
CBS CARES: Are there a lot of similarities between what CASA volunteers do and what mentors do?
PIRAINO: Child mentoring and volunteer child advocacy are both based on the powerful concept of a one-to-one relationship between an adult volunteer and a child in need of help. Both volunteer concepts had their origins with the juvenile courts. Both use carefully screened and trained volunteers to help at-risk children. Both depend on a trusting volunteer and child relationship. Both aim to give at-risk youth a happier childhood and a better start in life. Both provide positive role models, particularly for older children. The CASA role adds the dimension of independent advocacy, pushing the legal system to protect children from harm.
CBS CARES: Why should someone reading this interview choose to be a volunteer advocate rather than a mentor?
PIRAINO: Both are important, effective and extremely rewarding volunteer experiences. CASA has a more specific focus on advocacy for abused and neglected children. We find that our work appeals to people who want to protect children from further violence, and who want to use their skills to speak up for children who have been mistreated.
CBS CARES: Does your strategy for recruiting volunteers differ according to the target audience?
PIRAINO: We have targeted volunteer recruitment strategies for African-American and Hispanic volunteers, and use dedicated communications agencies for outreach to these communities.
CBS CARES: If someone is not ready to commit to being a volunteer but still want to help what can they do?
PIRAINO: A lot of people who would like to become advocates decide to help in other ways. For example, they lend financial or other support that allows us to recruit, train and supervise volunteers who are prepared to make the major time commitment. Often, people become advocates later in life when their life circumstances allow it.
CBS CARES: What other types of programs are there similar to yours?
PIRAINO: Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are truly unique. There really is no other organization that provides a citizen volunteer the opportunity to be appointed by a judge to work one-on-one with foster children and advocate for their best interests during court proceedings. However, there are other agencies that also advocate for the best interests of foster children. Here are some other well regarded agencies:
* Alliance for Children and Families
* Child Welfare League of America
* Children's Defense Fund
* Prevent Child Abuse America
* Voices for America's Children
* National Child Abuse Coalition
* Casey Family Programs
* Orphan Foundation of America
* Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan
CBS CARES: Have you ever personally taken a child under your wing as a volunteer advocate?
PIRAINO: I have done pro bono work as an attorney for children in foster care. This was in the late seventies, before CASA became so widespread. My first case was a 14 year old boy who wanted to be adopted by his foster parents. It was a great home for him. Only the boy's mother stood in the way, but she kept not showing up in court and never visited the child. We were able to convince the court that this kid wanted and needed a permanent home now.
CBS CARES: If you are ready to volunteer what should be your first step?
PIRAINO: The first step to become a volunteer is to locate and contact your
local CASA program. To do that, you can either pick up a phone book or
go to the National CASA website www.nationalcasa.org and click on
"volunteer". That will lead you to a zip code search engine that will
identify all the CASA programs within your area and help you express your interest to the nearest local program.
CBS CARES: What are your goals for the future?
PIRAINO: Last year, 53,000 CASA volunteers helped over 226,000 abused and
neglected children. We have in place an aggressive three-year plan to
increase the number of volunteers to 80,000 in order to serve an
additional 100,000 abused and neglected children annually.
For more information about CASA, to become an advocate, or to support CASA's work, visit www.nationalCASA.org.
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