Giving Thanks for the Gift of Connection

“Relatedness…is the lifeline of every living being.” Parker J. Palmer.

Thanksgiving offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate gratitude.  We can reflect upon personal blessings, offer deep appreciation to others for the gift of their presence in our life, or acknowledge the goodness that surrounds us.  These practices are grounded in our connections to family, friends, and community -- connections that are vital to our well-being.

This year, I am most grateful for the gift of connection that our CASA volunteers bring to lives of the children they serve.  When parents fail to keep children safe or do not nurture and care for them, children are slow to develop trust. Social bonds are difficult to form and isolation results. Fortunately, these children have access to a promise-keeper, a CASA volunteer who commits to be there for them over the life of a court case, thus forming a connection that may last for several years or more.

For these children, the relationship with their CASA volunteer demonstrates that they matter and helps them to view the world in a more positive light, giving them solid ground upon which to develop new networks of support and pursue their dreams.  We cannot measure the exact impact of a CASA volunteer’s gift of time on a child’s spirit, but I am certain from the stories I hear every day that it is profound and long-lasting.  

We are proud to have sustained our ability to provide a volunteer advocate to every child in need this year.  Your connection to Fairfax CASA, either as a CASA volunteer, stakeholder, friend, or financial contributor has made this possible. 

We hope that as you join with your own loved ones this holiday season, you will make room to provide a lifeline to abused and neglected children – in whatever manner you can. Thank you.