Volunteer Your Time, Change a Life

April was National Volunteer Awareness Month and at Family Advocates, we are incredibly grateful for our volunteers. They are vital to our organization’s operations and mission, and without their selflessness and sacrifice, the work we do would not be possible. Our programs not only provide assistance to those in need but also create meaningful opportunities for volunteers to make a difference in the lives of others.

The work and time donated by our volunteers have both immediate and long-term effects on those we serve. As with our CASA program, where Guardians ad Litem advocate for the best interests of neglected, abandoned, or abused children in our community. Within our Family Strengthening Education Program, volunteers make a significant impact by empowering participating families and providing them with the knowledge and resources to support their families and prevent neglect and abuse.

The impact of CASA volunteers has been extensively studied, providing valuable data that highlights the positive outcomes of their advocacy work. Research conducted by the National CASA program found that children with a Guardian ad Litem volunteer are 50% less likely to re-enter the Child Welfare System, and experience higher levels of hope, academic success, overall well-being, better self-control, positive social relationships, and optimism. Volunteering not only benefits the community, but data from a study at Samford University has shown that it also provides a variety of personal health benefits, such as decreased mortality, improved health and mental health, increased life satisfaction, and enhanced social support and interaction.

Our organization has a continuously growing need for additional Guardian ad Litem volunteers in our CASA program, and new volunteer opportunities have been added within the Family Strengthening Education Program and the Advancement team. The new volunteer openings we have include Database Management and Admin/Event Planning, Social Media posting and engagement, Donor Relations, and Volunteer Recruitment assistance. The process of becoming a volunteer is straightforward, and our Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator will guide you through the steps, including attending a virtual Volunteer Information Hour and completing a Volunteer Application.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our volunteers for their selfless dedication to our mission. We look forward to welcoming new members to our team and providing opportunities for personal growth, connection, and service to the community.