Resources
The Tale Of The Starfish
A young boy was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When he came to each starfish, he would pick it up and throw it back into the ocean. People watched him with amusement. He had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little boy, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The boy seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, he bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference for that one!”
The old man looked at the boy inquisitively and thought about what he had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little boy in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon, others joined, and all the starfish were saved.
Adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren C. Eiseley.
Dougherty County CASA plays a vital role in our community, especially for children in foster care. Through the unwavering commitment of our volunteers and the strength of our community partnerships, CASA provides these vulnerable children with consistent advocacy and resources. We help them navigate challenging systems and ensure they have access to the essential resources they need. Much like in Loren Eiseley’s “The Star Thrower,” where a lone figure walks along the shore, gently returning starfish to the sea one by one, knowing he can’t save them all but understanding the profound impact he has on each one he does, CASA embodies this spirit. We may not be able to change the entire system overnight, but for each child we serve, the difference is everything. Each case, each voice, each life matters. And through this belief, we throw stars back into the ocean and will continue to make a difference with one child at a time.
Quinn Roberts, Advocacy Director
Community Resources
Our guide is designed to connect advocates, children, and families with local services and support networks. In the guide, you’ll find helpful information on education, healthcare, mental health, housing, legal aid, and more. It’s a valuable tool to help ensure every child and family has access to the resources they need to thrive.
CASA Training Resources
Becoming a CASA volunteer in Dougherty County is a meaningful way to support children in foster care and help ensure their voices are heard in court. Volunteering with CASA is a powerful way to make a lasting difference. Your advocacy can help children in foster care find stability, access essential services, and reach safe and permanent homes.
Click the button to find all the information you’ll need for your pre-service training. This training is an essential step in preparing you to advocate for children in foster care and will give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to serve effectively. After you complete your pre-service training with the CASA staff and are sworn in, you can always return to this resource as a reference. It will also help guide you through available in-service training options, which are required to maintain your status as an active CASA volunteer (12 hours annually). Let this be your ongoing training hub as you grow in your role as a child advocate.
Join Us in Making a Difference
There are countless ways to get involved with Dougherty County CASA, whether you have time, resources, or simply a passion for helping children. We invite you to take the next step today. Together, we can make a lasting impact in the lives of children in our community.
