Why I Became A CASA (And Why You Might, Too)
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Words from CASA Volunteer Mike Deuel over coffee with board member Elle Turley
When I first walked into CASA training, I’ll be honest—I felt overwhelmed. There were binders of legal information, terminology I’d never heard before, and scenarios that made me wonder if I was really cut out for this work. I remember looking around at the other trainees and thinking, “Can I actually do this?”
But the reason I became a CASA was never about the paperwork.
It was simple: I love kids, and I want to make a difference.
And that, more than anything else, is what keeps me showing up.
Meeting My First Kids
My first case involved two elementary-aged siblings. I read through the police reports, the case files, the history, and it just broke my heart. But meeting the kids changed everything.
They were funny, energetic, and full of the same spark any child their age should have. But they’d also lived through things no child should ever experience. One especially intuitive boy understood far too much about the chaos around him. He was acting out, struggling socially, and carrying burdens far heavier than his little shoulders should bear.
And yet? When I walked into their placement home one day, and they ran to the door smiling, I knew exactly why CASA work matters.
Kids don’t need perfection.
They need consistency.
They need safety.
They need someone who shows up when they say they will.
Where the Real Work Happens
Every visit looks a little different. Sometimes I’m in their home, sometimes I’m at their school, eating lunch with them. Schools here have been amazing, always giving us a space to meet and making kids feel comfortable.
I carry a backpack filled with coloring books, games, and toys. CASA has a great library of all these things to take and use. The very first thing they ask is, “Did you bring your backpack?”
That backpack opens doors.
Kids talk while they play.
They share how they’re doing without even realizing it.
And although I’m always gathering information to help the judge make the best decisions for them, it never feels like an interview. It feels like being present. Like listening. Like caring.
Walking Through Court
Before my first hearing, I was nervous. The idea of walking into a courtroom as a volunteer felt intimidating. But the reality was surprisingly comforting.
The judges, attorneys, and DCS workers all understand why CASAs are there. They know we’re volunteers. They know we care deeply. They treat us with respect, and they’re grateful for our involvement.
I am not a legal expert; sometimes I don’t even fully understand what is taking place in court, but my simple observations have made me realize that CASAs are a steady presence in an otherwise chaotic system.
My Story Before CASA
Before signing up, I thought I understood hardship. But it wasn’t until my wife and I mentored and later cared for a young girl in kinship foster care that I truly saw the depth of need right here in Kosciusko County.
This precious girl had endured unimaginable trauma.
She had carried responsibilities no child should carry.
She had spent years surviving rather than living.
Those two years she spent in our home changed our lives.
We learned that love and stability can transform a child’s world.
We also learned that healing is slow, and walls come down only inch by inch.
That experience opened my eyes and my heart.
When she moved in with a relative, it felt like a chapter closing. But the call didn’t close. I knew I still had capacity. I knew more kids needed an advocate.
CASA became the next right step.
What I Tell New Trainees
Training feels overwhelming because you’re drinking from two fire hoses at once. But this is what I tell every new class:
If you have a heart for kids, you can do this.
You are not alone.
You do not need to be a legal expert.
You are surrounded by support.
And the real work of building trust, listening, and being present is so much more natural than the training makes it seem.
You don’t have to fix families.
You don’t have to carry the whole case.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to show up.
Why CASA Matters
In a neglect or abuse case, the parents get lawyers.
DCS is involved, foster families are involved, judges are involved.
But the child, the very one at the center of it all, gets a CASA.
A volunteer.
A neighbor.
An everyday person who simply cares enough to stand in the gap.
And when I remind parents or placement families that I’m a volunteer (not DCS, not law enforcement), it opens up doors for more honest conversations. They know I’m there solely for the kids.
Why You Should Consider Becoming a CASA
You don’t need a special background.
You don’t need advanced training.
You don’t need to be perfect or fearless.
You just need compassion, commitment, and a willingness to step into a child’s story with love and steadiness.
Everyone wants purpose.
Everyone wants to feel like they’ve made the world a little better.
CASA gives you that purpose in a very real, very tangible way.
There are kids in our community who need someone stable.
Someone safe.
Someone who sees them, hears them, and speaks up for them.
If you feel even a little tug, follow it!
Go to the training.
Ask the questions.
See where it leads. I promise: It’s worth it. And you absolutely can do it.
