Volunteer of the Month
Welcome to our Volunteer of the Month Spotlight
Each month, we take the opportunity to shine a light on the incredible individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and talents to make a difference for abused and neglected children in our community. These volunteers embody the spirit of service, going above and beyond to support our mission and create a lasting impact.
In this spotlight, you’ll learn more about our featured volunteer’s journey, their motivations, and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties. Join us in celebrating their hard work and unwavering commitment to advocating for children.
September 2024 - Jamie Schingeck
The Heart of Advocacy
Jamie has been a volunteer since February 2019. She has been assigned to her current case since March 2022. This CASA child has been in 4 placements over the last two years and Jamie has continued to be a constant figure in her life, meeting weekly and sometimes more. She has helped with transportation to visits, therapy, and so many fun outings. She has advocated for this little girl’s best interest in so many amazing ways. Jamie has even helped maintain contact between the child and a previous kinship placement. The case has had many challenges with unsuccessful reunifications/adoptions, but Jamie has continued to advocate for the child, who is now happily placed in a new foster to adopt home with her sister!
“I want to say that Jamie is truly a hero in my case, she’s a blessing for these girls. She advocates for their best interest and is well bonded with them. One of the girls is so attached to her. She trusts her and listens to her. We are truly grateful to have her on our team. The care and love she shows for them, I couldn’t ask for a better CASA!” – Eunice Bembissa, Casework.
Jamie actually now has two cases (as of May 2023) and two little girls she is advocating for. She has continued to be there through every transition and sadly through the death of one of the parents. The caseworkers and attorneys are so appreciative of Jamie and her commitment to these two little girls, her communication and the work she does with the team. On top of that, Jamie also keeps in contact with many children and youth from her previous cases.
In addition to being a volunteer, Jamie has also been a Peer Coordinator since 2019. Peer Coordinators are experienced volunteers who supervise other volunteers on their cases. Jamie has served as a Peer Coordinator on 15 cases, providing coaching and support to her volunteers. She is a great source of guidance and help to the volunteers she serves. We are lucky to have her!
Jamie in Her Own Words
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I don’t have any kids of my own, unless you count Dog/Cat/Pig? But kids have always been a really important part of my life. I am lucky to have nephews, good friends who have kids, and CASA.
I love my day job and spend a lot of time with that (real estate agent). When I started that job, most everyone who knows me said it was about time I switched to this career, it is a perfect fit for me.
My hobbies are pretty much house related: Home remodel projects and gardening from houseplants to landscaping. The unrelated and occasional side project I enjoy is working on “trash art”. Most often I work with silver plated cutlery and make little creatures or copies of famous art that I like. My husband is also into metal and wood work, so we spend a lot of time in the garage.
What inspired you to become a CASA?
I only started CASA because I had time for another volunteer activity and this was the closest thing to my house that I could come up with to volunteer for, so I applied… But, here is why I stayed with CASA after my first case closed:
My first case closed after 8 months. Not even enough time to make it to the CASA Christmas that was much anticipated. I had already gathered wish list items for all three kiddos and their Grannie. They were all under 5. Grannie was always very hesitant to accept any sort of help. Toys from the CASA office, and Grocery cards, were not generally accepted when I brought resources for the family. But, for some reason, help with Christmas seemed different. CASA approved for us to put the family on our Giving Tree, even though the Case closed before the holiday. And Since the case was closed, I asked Grannie if I could have permission to put the wish list out to some of my elves (my family) to fill the orders. She told me that would be great. That was Christmas 2018 and my Elves and I have been allowed to do “CASA Christmas” for this family ever since. I’m Jewish. But, since 2018 I have this very special way of celebrating Christmas.
Anyway, I stayed with CASA because once my case closed and the family let me stay involved helping how I could, I thought I may be able to help other volunteers find the best way to work on their own cases, so I have worked as a Peer Coordinator since that first case closed.
What helps you overcome the hard moments of being an advocate?
Therapy.
Can you tell us about a proud moment you had volunteering?
A couple of years ago, I was assigned to a case for a 1-year-old. She was temporarily living with her babysitter. The babysitter was an older woman who lived in a basement apartment and didn’t have a bed for the little girl. She had a sofa in her room, and the babysitter who she lived with didn’t know her name, so she called her Baby. So in turn, the little girl called everyone else Baby. I called her by name many many times per visit, the foster placement heard me and asked if that was her name? And after that, everyone used her actual name. I always felt like that made a big difference.
Also, with there being no bed for her, I called some vendor partners through my day job (shout out Deena Weller for the donation) and got a donation to cover the cost of a new bed for that little girl. She has a different bed now that she is in a permanent home, but when she got that first bed, it was very important to her.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Every case is different. Sometimes the hardest part of a case is trying to figure out how you can be of the most service, and what would be the best thing you can do to support your kid. Once you figure that out, CASA is a very rewarding, and a very impactful way to serve your community.