Having been assigned dozens of CASA cases since 2015, we are excited to introduce you to Rhiannon Inabnit, a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for nine years, in addition to being a Peer Coordinator for the past six years. Rhiannon is a familiar face at CASA, and she often admits, “She feels she has grown up in the CASA office.” During her initial years as a CASA, Rhiannon got engaged, married, and had her son. With parents that were actively involved in different volunteer programs, their role modeling showed Rhiannon how to make their community a better place by giving back through volunteerism. In addition to her love for children, she knew CASA would be a good fit for her.
Rhiannon is currently a nurse and is trained in advocating for patients in many ways. Utilizing those skills as a CASA volunteer, she also now advocates for foster kids in her community. Throughout her career and volunteering, the community partnerships she has gained have been beneficial for both her CASA role and her professional career.
Her favorite part of being a CASA is “forming a relationship with the kids.” From initially reading the child’s history to actually meeting them, she has learned that most of the kids she has served are caring, intelligent, positive, and some of the most resilient people she has ever met. She loves being one of the constant people in their lives, building positive relationships, and seeing them excited for her visits.
Rhiannon offers the following advice to new CASA advocates: “This is a marathon, not a sprint. These cases take time and there is not immediate gratification when it comes to being a CASA like other volunteer opportunities.” Rhiannon knows this firsthand, as her first case with four children, lasted over three years. It eventually ended in reunification with the parents, but the journey was long, with lots of ups and downs along the way. “If you can stick with it, it does turn into a very rewarding experience and there are small wins along the way!”
Thank you, Rhiannon, for your dedication to CASA and CASA kids over the years.
