Amy McCormick – August 2023
Heart of Missouri CASA would like to recognize Amy McCormick for this month’s Volunteer Spotlight! Amy swore in as a CASA Volunteer in November of 2022. Amy is serving on her first case. She has been instrumental in connecting the family with resources and communication with all the team members. Here is more about Amy:
“I grew up in Fulton, MO and I believe there is a great sense of community in Callaway County. Throughout my life my mom was actively involved in various organizations. I accompanied her many times to the events and got to experience how wonderful it was to volunteer.
I started to learn about HOM CASA and attended their informational webinar. When I learned of the challenges a child faces while in foster care and how a CASA can help, I could not start training fast enough! During the years of working at the hospital bedside, I loved advocating for my patients! Hearing their stories of what happened throughout their childhood years made me question why there wasn’t an advocate for them when they needed someone the most. How would their life have turned out differently if they had someone in their corner? I have years of experience working with adults, but I was up for the challenge of learning how to advocate for kids.
People often say to me, “I could not do what you do,” “That would be too hard,” “Why would you want to do that?” It is hard, but it would be even harder to be the child in the situation and feel as if I did not have a voice. As a CASA there is a possibility that you are the child(ren)’s only consistent adult during their time in foster care. That is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. However, that is a part of my “Why.” My case alone has changed caseworkers’ hands four times. I have been his consistent adult involved and prioritized communication so pertinent information would not get lost in his case. Being a CASA has been the most wonderful and easiest decision I have made. I became a CASA because I love the mission behind the organization and the people in the community, I get to continue to build relationships with!”
Thank you for all you do, Amy!