I felt God placed this calling before me to help my fellow man and what better way to do that than with our future (our children). I want to be able to make their lives more rewarding. No child should have to endure a hardship. If only we can get the parents to see this. Being a blessing to our children is my aim with CASA."

- Bill McChester, CASA Volunteer

I came from an abusive home. It was sometimes mental, physical and often emotional. As a child, many times, I felt helpless to do anything. As an adult, I still get emotional when I see a father with his arm proudly around his daughter and wonder what she must feel like. As a CASA volunteer we sometimes get to make that happen for someone else."

- Shelia Robertson, CASA Volunteer

Knowing the complete facts of the family, the volunteer, though down at times, keeps me plugging away because on the flipside of this file, stands a child, a child that knows without a doubt, this volunteer is there for her. In a family that has deserted her for the time being, stands a CASA volunteer that cares."

- Frances Allsup, CASA Executive Director

I signed up with CASA in California after seeing pictures in our local newspaper of the filthiest house I had ever seen in my life. Even when the police arrived they gagged at the stench and especially when they found two small children living there. I said to myself, "How can any 'parent' allow children to live in such squalor so I asked around where I could help to prevent such abuse and I was lead to CASA. Their overwhelming concern for improving children's lives thru the court and social service by becoming an extra set of eyes was definitely an area I could be of help. I have seen how the programs in Mississippi benefit families through counseling and education as the goal ALWAYS is to reunite families when possible."

- Mary Ellen Spalding, CASA Volunteer

When the children on one of my cases were brought in by DHS, they were terrified and refused to interact with anyone new. At my last visit, the littest one held out her arms for me to pick her up. I carried that sweet child around until my arms were sore. The difference in her level of trust in othe people was heartwarming. Being a consistent presence in a child's life makes such a big difference for them."

- Brenda Ramsey, CASA Volunteer