Destin Mizelle enjoys the challenge of serving as a CASA volunteer

CASA volunteer Destin Mizelle

When Destin Mizelle learned how CASA volunteers can help abused and neglected children, he thought it sounded like a great opportunity to make a difference. He also worried about the time commitment.

“After a few months in the role, I realized it doesn’t feel like a burden at all,” he said. “In fact, I often invest more time than what is required each month because I genuinely enjoy working with the kids and ensuring their needs are met.”

Mizelle has been a CASA volunteer for close to a year. He is paired with a sibling set of teenage boys who have experienced numerous traumatic events.

“On paper, they look like a tricky bunch,” said Rebecca Brereton-Farr, Mizelle’s Volunteer Manager. “But in reality, and by Destin’s own observations, they are boys who are funny and smart and resilient and have ambitions.”

Mizelle began visiting the boys weekly and attending their athletic events at school.

“He is able to be the person that has important conversations with them, but does so as their support rather than as someone trying to reprimand them,” Brereton-Farr said. “He is someone they trust, and that is because he refuses to give up on them.”

Mizelle said he enjoys how each child he advocates for has unique needs, which keeps the work challenging and rewarding.

“My time as a CASA volunteer has been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “My favorite part of volunteering is working directly with the kids. They each bring a special kind of joy to this role, making every moment worthwhile.”

Mizelle said he prizes the deep connections he has built with the teens he advocates for. And he is happy he gets to ensure their voices are heard by the judge on their case.

“As I’ve gotten to know the kids and their situations, I’ve gained confidence and pride in my ability to advocate for them through court appearances and detailed court reports,” Mizelle said. “I feel well-supported by Rebecca, my Volunteer Manager, who ensures I’m always up-to-date on everything happening with my cases.”

Each CASA volunteer like Mizelle typically gives 5-10 hours a month, which is spent visiting their assigned child, gathering information about the child’s life and writing reports for the judge. CASA volunteers help get children and teens more services while their cases are open and work to ensure they return to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“There are countless children and families who need compassionate individuals willing to dedicate their time to giving back to their local communities,” Mizelle said. “CASA does an excellent job of pairing volunteers with the demographics they feel most comfortable working with, while ensureing they have the resources and support needed to meet the demands of the role.

“While volunteering hasn’t always been easy, my experience has shown me that it’s always worth it.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casaoflexington.org or call (859) 246-4313.