Lois Dahnke has been a dedicated volunteer with Voices For Children CASA for nine years. Voices For Children is a local nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to serve as CASAs. "It's so gratifying to help kids move towards the best living situation possible and to watch them grow," Dahnke said of her volunteer commitment. Dahnke has been working on her second case for the past four years.

"Lois has managed to connect well with [the children] as well as with their mother," commented Pam Pullen with Voices For Children. "Throughout this four year period Lois has seen the children every week and has been the one constant in their lives."

CASAs "provide the court with information about the best interests of the children and how the children are doing, and keep in regular contact with the children as long as their case remains open," Dahnke pointed out. "For me, there is also lots of transporting the kids and their mom to and from appointments and observing the parents during visitation."

Knowing only that she wanted to volunteer with children, Dahnke initially went to the Volunteer Connection to find a volunteer opportunity and chose Voices For Children because she thought it was the best fit.

"It's very rewarding," Dahnke said. "The kids are very loving and attach to you quite easily." Voices For Children is a "very supportive organization and I encourage anyone who is interested to apply," she added. "They have very strong and thorough training for volunteer CASAs."

"I feel lucky I found [Voices for Children]. They're great people and a great organization."

For information about volunteering with Voices for Children or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.