Advocate Spotlight: Nicole Portillo

Congratulations to Nicole on 10 years as a CASA Volunteer!

This July, we're proud to celebrate Nicole's incredible milestone of 10 years as a dedicated CASA volunteer. Nicole served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps alongside her husband of 20 years. She's also the proud mom of five amazing children, and her family includes two dogs and four cats. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her master's degree in Forensic Psychology and is on track to graduate this October.

When asked what has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA, Nicole shared: "Seeing our children being adopted or placed in the home that is truly best for them is the most rewarding part. I've had some cases where children were quickly placed with the appropriate parent or guardian, but it's the more complex cases that stay with me. Those are the cases where our advocacy really matters and where our skills are put to work. I have had cases that lasted three years because of these complex issues and finally seeing that these children are finally placed in their forever home, a home that had been fighting for their children from day one, that is the absolute best part."

What do you wish more people knew about CASA's mission?

“I wish more people knew that being a CASA volunteer isn't as time consuming as they might think. Just a couple of hours of effort every month is more than enough to advocate for children in our community.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a CASA advocate?

“Do it! Over the past 10 years, I've worked with several CASA supervisors, and every one of them has been incredibly supportive. They regularly check in, ask how they can help, and are always available if you're facing challenges or need guidance. There is absolutely nothing to lose.”

Nicole's Favorite Quote

"We may not be changing the entire world, but to one child, we can make a world of difference."