Byline: Ciara Walker Williams
Art Grim, a retired judge who worked in the delinquency court, spent 30 years advocating for juvenile justice behind the bench. Now, he’s serving behind the scenes as a board member with CASA of Berks County connecting the community with the courtroom.
Grim became a CASA board member because he believes in what they do for children and families. It also allows him to continue helping the population he cares so much about.
“I’ve always felt that being involved in my community is important, and I loved what I did for 30 years,” he says reflecting on his tenure as a judge. The idea of continuing to do that kind of work was very appealing, and I felt my experience would bring something to the table that would be of value.”
As a board member, Grim provides a unique perspective for what goes on in the courtroom and has been able to help CASA directors and volunteers navigate the system.
“I understand the system. I worked with it for 30 years and understand that it can sometimes be maddening. I may not know the exact person to go to because many of the people I knew are retired too, but if there’s an issue I know where to go and get it resolved,” he shares.
While his former profession as a lawyer and judge is an asset to CASA, his value far exceeds his connections. He understands the importance of having a Court Appointed Special Advocate and is able to share that with others.
“In my work I noticed that if there was a positive adult role model in the life of a child who was there for the long haul, the likelihood of that child being resilient and able to overcome the adverse childhood experiences was much better,” Grim says. “CASA in so many ways presents that positive adult role model for an extended period of time.”
“The story of CASA and the success of the organization is little known,” he adds. “The fact that it’s a researched based outcome measured program that has withstood the test of time, so people know it works is just an extra reason to look to a program such as CASA. There’s a lot of education of the community that could be done, should be done, and under Nik’s [Board President Nikolas Capitano] leadership will be done. ”
Grim says CASA’s ability to attract volunteers has grown and credits Director Nancy McCullar and her team for this success. “Nancy has an aggressive program for attracting and training volunteers that’s working and her team keeps a good eye on the quality of the volunteers,” he says. “Also, we have a process in the volunteer community for identifying people who would be good volunteers at an early age and getting them involved through the United Way.”
Grim notes how the United Way has “done a good job locally at being diversified and reaching out to the entire community” and is confident that through CASA’s continued efforts, the organization will do the same.
“One challenge we’re working on is having CASA volunteers who reflect the community that we serve whether they’re Hispanic, black, or white,” he says. “Also, having volunteers who have experienced some of the issues that the kids are experiencing would be like icing on the cake. I think the more we become known in the community, the more people will say ‘I think I’d like to do that’.”
Grim encourages anyone in the Berks County community who has the time and grit to become a CASA volunteer to do so.
“Although it can be frustrating, the rewards are huge,” he says. “You’re dealing with a human being at a deep personal elemental level and if that results in a positive outcome for that child, there’s no greater reward that I can think of.”
Interested in joining Art Grim on the CASA Berks Board of Directors? Please contact Executive Director, Nancy McCullar, at nancy@casaberks.org for more information and an introduction to a representative of the Board of Director. For more information on becoming a volunteer child advocate, please click this link: https://casaberks.org/volunteer