CASA Encore - Volunteer
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a national association that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to advocate for children in the foster care system
- In North Mississippi, CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to support abused and neglected children, ensuring they are not overlooked in the legal and social services systems
- During my undergraduate years, I participated in a campus-wide competition to raise awareness and funds for North Mississippi CASA
- I also donated to an annual blood drive and joined a dance competition in my freshman year, with proceeds benefiting these children
- Meeting some of the children involved was an incredibly touching experience
- MME: Participating in the CASA Encore dance competition was an experience that left an indelible mark on my soul
- In the weeks before the event, I had the chance to meet some amazing children who showed incredible strength despite their tough pasts
- Their eyes, often reflecting their struggles, still held a spark of hope and resilience
- Hearing their stories of hardship was both heartbreaking and inspiring
- Over the course of a month our group raised an amazing $23,000 for CASA, far more than we ever expected
- But it wasn't just about the money; each dollar was a real investment in the lives of these resilient children, giving them hope for a better future
- Additionally, the blood drive part of the event let us help in a more personal way
- As I donated blood, I thought about the hardships these children had faced, their innocent lives changed by things they couldn't control.
