Highlight on Service

Many of our stake members are out in the community serving and helping those in need.  We hope to highlight some of that beautiful service here on our website. 

This month we would like to introduce Lisa Ericksen from the Hillsdale ward.  She is a volunteer at CASA which matches stable consistent adults with children in the foster system.  

What do they do for our community?  

CASA’s are able to serve the underserved, vulnerable children in San Diego county.  Children in foster care have so many needs, while they move from placement to reunification or adoption.  Having a CASA helps them by having a consistent, stable person there for all of the transitions.  

2. How did you get involved? 

I started with Voices for Children after my sister’s experience having a foster child.  I saw that was a need to help the very taxed foster system.  

How long have you volunteered with CASA?  

I have been a volunteer for 18 months.

3. What is your role and what are some of your responsibilities? 

I am assigned to one case of two siblings.  I offer support to their Social worker and foster parents.  I work to develop a relationship with the children by visiting with them, taking them on outings etc.  Relationships are so important for CASA’s and their children so the  children have a consistent adult with them through the entire process.   By developing this relationship, I also have be able to asses needs for the children and look for opportunities to help them and their case workers.  I also am able to provide information through court reports to help the county, the attorneys and the judge help the children more fully.  

4. What has been most fulfilling part of your volunteer work?  

Having the opportunity see these children find a permanent home after their mother’s parental rights were terminated has be very fulfilling.  The goal of foster care is to reunite families.  Sometimes that isn’t possible and being involved the foster parents working to adopt the children has been very sweet experience.  

5. How has your volunteer work blessed your life ?  How has it drawn you closer to Jesus Christ?  

Knowing that foster care is working on keeping families together has really helped me think about the value  and importance of families.  Not all families are perfect and some need extra help and support.  It has been very testimony building.  Knowing that Heavenly Father also wants all families to be together forever  and He is here to help us all and give us the support we need helps put a divine perspective on the work of foster care.  Being a

CASA really means being an advocate, someone who only wants the best for the children and willing to do work to help them and always be there. . I also have been able to reflect on how Christ is an advocate for us individually.  

6.  Is there any specific experience you could share that highlights the work you do?  

I was able to attend a Christmas part with my children and other CASA’s from around the county.  So man different children with different needs.  It was really special to see how CASA’s can help. My children had so much joy participating in regular holiday activities like making cards, frosting cookies and singing carols.  It was especially sweet seeing the able to be carefree and enjoy childhood during such a stressful time in their lives.

7.  Anything else you would like to share? (any thoughts or pictures that would be safe to share...?)

Being in communities that I don’t usually have opportunities to be in has  been such a blessing.  Forcing me to be out of my comfort zone a little has helped me open my heart  and help me be more Christlike in other areas of my life as well.