A Continued Commitment to Service: Honoring Veterans Who Serve as CASA Volunteers
On this Veterans Day, we honor the brave people who have served our country and recognize those who continue that commitment to service right here in our community. For some veterans, answering the call to serve doesn't end when their military service does. It takes on a new meaning through mentoring, community involvement, and advocating for children who need someone in their corner.
At Capital Area CASA, we're proud to have veterans among our dedicated volunteer advocates. This Veterans Day, we're highlighting two of them, Tenesha Wilson and Tina Hauck, whose experiences in the military have shaped the way they serve children in foster care.
Their stories remind us that service is about more than a uniform or a title. It's about showing up, persevering through challenges, and making a difference in the lives of others.
Tenesha Wilson: A Servant's Heart and a Commitment to Perseverance
Tenesha Wilson has served in the Army National Guard since 1999. Her path to military service began in high school, where she participated in JROTC and became the second-highest-ranking cadet in her program. Inspired in part by a friend's experience in Basic Training, Tenesha decided to explore military service for herself, with hopes of earning extra money for college and gaining discipline along the way.
That same desire to serve others eventually led her to CASA. While serving jury duty, Tenesha heard presentations from several community organizations seeking volunteers. When Capital Area CASA introduced its mission, she immediately knew she had found the right fit.
"I have always had a servant's heart," she shared. "I enjoy mentoring youth, and during CASA's presentation, I immediately knew it was the program for me."
Tenesha credits her military experience with strengthening the leadership, compassion, resilience, and perseverance she brings to her work as a CASA volunteer. Since taking her first case in 2018, she has built meaningful relationships with each child she has served.
For Tenesha, the most meaningful part of being a CASA volunteer is the hope it offers children who are longing for safe and permanent homes. She understands that a volunteer may be the only consistent voice advocating for a child during an uncertain time.
"These children need someone to stand up for them in rooms, meetings, and at tables where they may not have the opportunity or ability to speak for themselves," she explained. "They deserve someone who will listen to their voices, honor their wishes, and ensure their best interests remain at the heart of every decision."
Her perspective reflects the heart of both military and community service: showing up for others, especially when the challenges are difficult.
Tina Hauck: Staying the Course and Being a Consistent Voice
Tina Hauck's commitment to service has taken her through two branches of the military. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school, serving from 1989 to 1995. After earning her law degree, she continued her military service as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army Reserves from 2010 to 2018.
Tina initially joined the military to find a sense of purpose and work toward earning her bachelor's degree. Although her career eventually took a different direction than she originally imagined, her interest in working with young people never faded.
With a background in criminal justice and an interest in juvenile advocacy, Tina became a CASA volunteer because she wanted to work with teenagers during a pivotal stage in their lives. She believes that with the right support and resources, young people can overcome difficult circumstances and build successful futures.
One of the most valuable lessons she carried from military service into CASA advocacy was the importance of commitment.
"As an enlisted member of the military, you cannot 'quit' your position. You must complete your entire service contract," Tina explained. "This helped me as a CASA volunteer to not 'quit' on the cases that were assigned to me."
Her first CASA case lasted more than two years and included many unexpected turns. Through it all, Tina remained a consistent presence in the teenager's life. Today, that young person is preparing to graduate from high school and begin adulthood.
Tina also recalls the importance of creating a safe environment where a child feels comfortable speaking up. In one particularly difficult moment from her first case, the child disclosed sexual abuse by a foster parent. Because the child felt safe enough to share the truth, the abuse was reported, investigated, and ultimately resulted in the foster parent being held accountable.
For Tina, experiences like these reinforce the importance of having a dedicated adult who will listen, advocate, and remain present.
She believes veterans bring valuable qualities to CASA advocacy, including teamwork, commitment, and an understanding of the importance of a support system.
"A veteran would never leave a child alone without a support system," she said.
A Different Uniform, the Same Commitment to Serve
Although Tenesha and Tina have taken different paths through military service and community advocacy, their stories share a common thread: a belief in showing up for others.
Military service instills qualities that translate naturally into CASA advocacy. Leadership, teamwork, discipline, resilience, and the ability to persevere through difficult circumstances can all make a meaningful difference in the life of a child in foster care.
CASA volunteers serve as a consistent adult in a child's life, getting to know their needs, listening to their concerns, and advocating for their best interests. They work alongside families, caseworkers, attorneys, and other professionals to help ensure children have the opportunity to grow up in safe, permanent, and stable homes.
As Tina and Tenesha demonstrate, service doesn't have to end with military service. There are meaningful ways to continue giving back, strengthening your community, and making a lasting impact on someone else's life.
This Veterans Day, we thank Tenesha, Tina, and all veterans for their service to our country. We're especially grateful to those who continue that commitment by serving children and families in our community.
Answer the Call to Serve Again
To the veterans and military service members in our community: your experience, leadership, and commitment to others can make a difference in the life of a child.
Becoming a CASA volunteer is a meaningful way to continue serving beyond the military. No legal or social work background is required. Volunteers receive training and ongoing support from CASA staff, along with the opportunity to make a lasting difference in a child's future.
You've served your country. Consider serving a child.
Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer at casabr.org/volunteer or contact Capital Area CASA to learn about upcoming volunteer training opportunities.
