Story provided by CASA for Kids serving Payne and Logan Counties

CASA for Kids in Payne and Logan Counties honors Mark Waits as their December Volunteer of the Month. Mark is a longtime Stillwater resident who has served as a CASA volunteer for two and a half years. He is working on two cases currently and has served five children during his time as a volunteer.

“It had been on my mind that I wanted to volunteer with children in some way,” he said. “I didn’t initially know how exactly I was going to do that.”

A friend, who volunteered with CASA, put him in touch with a staff case supervisor to learn more. A training cohort was beginning; the timing was perfect.

Volunteering to serve as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate can seem intimidating at first, but as Mark said, “Sometimes, people have to step up and do difficult things.”

“Lawyers, judges, DHS, foster parents, adoptive parents, biological parents, CASA staff and volunteers: so many people are working together to make sure children have a safe place to grow up,” Mark said. “This experience has given me the chance to see the best in so many people.”

If you are looking for a way to help children and families in your community, CASA can use your help. There are many ways to get involved and support CASA’s mission. CASA is always seeking volunteers, but they also need Board members and committee members. They need friends and followers to amplify messages on social media. And, of course, as a 501(c)3 non-profit, they need donations. Learn more at casaforkids.com.