Amelia Fenk wasn’t quite old enough to become a CASA volunteer when she first heard about the program. “A Yolo County CASA staff member came to UC Davis to speak about the organization. I majored in Spanish and minored in Education and I have a growing interest in social work. So the mission really called to me.”
A few months after Amelia turned 21, she saw an email about Yolo County CASA on a list serve she was on. “I knew when I saw that email it was time. It was my senior year of college and I had a big course load but I made time for the training. When there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Amelia’s current case was just transferred to another county, but until last month, she served a pre-teen boy as her CASA child. “I just asked the staff who had the highest need and picked my case based on that.”
During one of their visits, Amelia recalls the moment when she knew she’d made an impact. “He was talking to me about how if the world ever ended he was going to build an underground shelter. He explained to me who he would invite there and what jobs they could do to keep it running. I asked if I was invited and he said ‘of course.’ Considering the others who were on the list and what I know they mean to him, I took it as an extreme compliment.”
Amelia has also enjoyed getting to know his interests. “He loves movies and if he sees a movie he likes, he can recall every detail.” Even though her CASA child’s case has been transferred to another county, Amelia still hopes to stay in touch with him. “I told him that I would love to stay in touch and hear how he is doing. He said he would like that, too.”
Amelia is currently excited about choosing her next case, and to anyone who is considering becoming a CASA volunteer, Amelia says to definitely apply. “I applied to be a CASA volunteer during one of the busiest times of my life. At first the time commitment sounded like a lot but when you break it down, it’s just a little bit at a time. The visits are really something you look forward to… not to mention the fact every minute you are with your child is a minute that you are making a difference.”
