OLIVER JAMES

​Oliver has been a CASA Volunteer Advocate for Ingham County since November 13, 2019 and has served as a CASA in two states.  Oliver shares, “I was semi-recruited to be a child advocate in another state during my graduate school career back in 2018. I accidentally stumbled upon a Guardian ad Litem recruiter on my campus while walking back from dinner at my school’s cafeteria. She invited me to apply for a CASA volunteer advocate position.  After applying, I was accepted and have been a child advocate since.”  After moving to Michigan, Oliver reveals, “I decided to work for a non-profit in Lansing, primarily due to my positive experience as a CASA volunteer. I found a sense of fulfillment and purpose in service, which in turn highly contributed to my motivations to apply for non-profit work here in Lansing.”  Oliver continues, “CASA gave me a sense of fulfillment from helping kids going through some hard times.  It feels great to know that you have had a positive impact, however large or small, on someone’s life.  I hope that I have been a positive role model, a person to trust during hard times, and an advocate for them in court.  The most rewarding part of being a CASA is developing a relationship with the kid that you advocate for and getting to see them weekly.  My last assigned child told me that I was a role model for him, and my current child said to me that he looks forward to me coming to visit him weekly.  Knowing that my kids care about me coming to visit them makes the time commitment worth it.  Hopefully, my time with the kids I have served in both states has had a positive impact on their lives.”

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