Volunteer Spotlight: Shawntel Hall, Lower Shore CASA (Worcester County)

In this Volunteer Spotlight, please meet Ms. Shawntel Hall from the Worcester County Youth & Family Counseling Services' CASA program located in Worcester County. Originally from Snow Hill, MD, Shawntel has been living in Worcester County for the past 10 years and has been a volunteer for CASA for what will be 7 years this May 2018. Shawntel heard about Maryland CASA through a college professor of hers who discussed the program during class. “It was a forensic psychology class and we were looking at the overwhelming number of children being charged as adults in the U.S. and given harsh sentences -- most of whom experienced foster care,” Shawntel said.Shawntel grew up in a household where you didn’t talk about your feelings and you kept your business to yourself, she reported. “My mother was a raging alcoholic, and my step-father sexually abused me for more than 10 years. I was dying inside, I had no one I could share my pain with, and I took most of that pain into my adult life.” Her past experiences helped her realize her calling to help children in need. “I wish I had someone like me, as a CASA, when I was growing up,” she said.Shawntel’s current CASA case involves a young child in the custody of a family member who she visits about twice a month. “I like to get to know my CASA child and what he prefers to spend time doing,” she said. Her CASA child loves to play cops and robbers or hide and seek, something that keeps him moving and active. “He does not like to sit for long, but on our last visit we had a chance to talk about his day and how he was doing over a McDonald’s sundae.”Work on her current case is not the only chance Shawntel has had to make an impact over her seven-year tenure. When asked to describe a scenario where you have helped a CASA child or youth receive a service or tool that they needed while in care, Shawntel had this to say:“In my last case, the guardian who was looking after my CASA child needed a double stroller. They lived in a very small town where they walked everywhere but with two very small children they often felt trapped at home.”With Shawntel’s help, the child’s guardian was able to obtain the double stroller they needed, something Shawntel reports as an achievement that opened up their world to a variety of new opportunities. “I’ve have been able to obtain beds for CASA youths, clothes, educational toys and blankets,” Shawntel continued. “One of my earlier CASA kids even got kicked out of school, but I was able to help get them back in.”To Shawntel, while she’s worked to make a huge impact on the lives of children and youth she’s worked with over the years, she also gets something in return:“This work feeds my soul! I remember interviewing for a position where they asked me how long it would take me to get out of this ‘CASA thing,’ to which I replied: ‘I’m never getting out of this ‘CASA THING’, I’m a CASA for LIFE!”Shawntel’s advice to those interested in volunteering with CASA is this: “I would first say make sure you’ve dealt with all your own childhood traumas and issues. I would also say this is a huge commitment, but it’s really rewarding work. If your heart and intentions are aligned, then do it!”Thank you for your service and dedication to the Lower Shore’s abused and neglected children, Shawntel! To learn more about joining Shawntel as a CASA volunteer, visit www.marylandcasa.org/get-involved.