Superhero Spotlight: Jackie Boyle
***The following is series featuring Q & A's with CASA volunteers
Jackie Boyle is a volunteer and advocate for children through Northeastern Indiana CASA, serving Noble County.
Jackie Boyle has been a volunteer for Northeastern Indiana CASA for little over a year now. She serves Noble County and says the most rewarding part of being a CASA is "developing a positive relationship with a child who otherwise might have no other adult in his life he can trust. The CASA volunteer also gives the child a much-needed voice in court."
Q: What almost held you back from being a volunteer?
A: "I looked for a full year for a volunteer position after I retired from teaching, but I passed over CASA repeatedly because I thought it involved too much responsibility. While I recognized the importance of the organization and I saw the need for more volunteers, I didn't feel qualified for such an important task."
Q: What made you go ahead and do it anyway?
A: "After a year of not finding a volunteer position that I could really connect with, I decided to look more closely into CASA. After investigating for only a short time, I felt that this is where I needed to spend my time. I felt that I could use my skills working with kids doing something extremely important, and I made the decision to apply. When I went through the interview and heard about the training, I was sure that I had made the right decision, and I have not regretted doing so."
Q: What would you tell someone considering being a volunteer?
A: "I would tell people to look into the organization and to not be afraid of the responsibility. The training and guidance from the staff are excellent, and the kids in our community need CASA."
Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be?
A: "I would eliminate drug addiction from the face of the Earth."
Q: If you could go back and be a kid for a day, what would you do?
A: "If I could be a kid for a day, I would go back to my childhood home in Fort Wayne. I was an incurable tomboy, so I was always outside doing something. My favorite spot was a shallow creek a block away, where we would play as kids. We would climb trees, cross the creek, get soaking wet, and make up wild adventures. We would spend all day there. It was great."
Q: What is a lesson adults could learn from children?
A: "Kids love their parents. Parents need to learn to put that love at the TOP of their list of priorities."