“I wanted to be a part of an organization that was making real change.”
As a student at the University of Arkansas, Adrianna learned about CASA of Northwest Arkansas when she was looking for an internship site to complete her undergraduate degree. Through the duration of her internship in 2020, Adrianna came to love the mission and vision of CASA, and developed great relationships with the staff and volunteers she worked with.
Now, having completed her Bachelors of Science in Criminology with a double minor in Social Work and Substance Use Disorders, and working toward completing her Masters of Social Work, Adrianna is a CASA volunteer. She has been working her first case since December 2022.
Even outside of working with CASA of Northwest Arkansas, Adrianna is invested in serving others and her community. She remarks “…I’m also a part-time intern at the Washington County Public Defender’s Office and will be a Graduate Assistant at the SRVC (Sexual and Relationship Violence Center) on campus. I’ve always been involved in criminal justice or social work – it’s my passion.” Adrianna is also a volunteer with Arkansas Harm Reduction which is an organization that “…works toward creating a community that values the safety and dignity of all people through evidence-based harm reduction.”
Adrianna’s internship with CASA allowed her to get a real inside view of the work of a volunteer, which ultimately led her to want to stay involved. “Watching the CASA supervisors and their volunteers have passion as well as compassion for their children and their families was special to see”, Adrianna states. “I wanted to be a part of an organization that was making real change.”
A year and a half into working her first case with three boys, Adrianna has worked hard to be a consistent, committed, and positive presence in their lives. She visits them in their home regularly and maintains great contact and communication with their caregivers. Adrianna is invested in ensuring their needs are met and their best interests are at the forefront when decisions must be made. Her patience and attention to their needs have allowed her CASA boys to develop a trusting relationship with her, and they have recently started hugging her goodbye after visits!
While being a CASA volunteer can be hard, it’s filled with lots of joy as well. “My favorite part about being a CASA is watching my kiddos grow and reach healthy milestones. It’s cool to watch and fulfilling to be a part of”, Adrianna shares. “…being a CASA means that you’re a part of a supportive community of people who want the best for children and their families…. If you’re someone who works well with children and has a passion for helping others, CASA will give you the opportunity to be a helping hand while also growing personally.”
From intern to volunteer, Adrianna is a great example of committed and compassionate advocacy. We are lucky to have her on our team!