The CASA Connection
Learn more about what’s going on at CASA Project Worcester County, in our Central MA communities, and with our partners by reading our monthly blog! Have a topic you’d like us to write about or want to be considered for a featured spot? Email communications@thecasaproject.org!
Interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate? Read our Volunteer Spotlights to learn more about our incredible team of CASA volunteers and their life-changing impacts.
Name
Victor Baillargeon
How long have you been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)?
For 2.5 years, I became a CASA volunteer in early November 2023.
What inspired you to become a CASA volunteer?
I finally retired for the last time in January 2022, so I had the time and a desire to take on volunteer work. A friend suggested I explore CASA’s mission and work as he had just completed his volunteer role in the organization. I did some research on the organization, liked what I read, and reached out to get additional information. The training classes began in late summer/early fall and after completing the work I received my current appointment within a week of graduating from the New Volunteer Training.
What do you want our supporters to know about your background?
My career was in the financial services sector. More specifically, the (re)insurance business. Although my wife and I are originally from Massachusetts (I was born and raised in Lawrence and she hails from Marlborough), we lived in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Bermuda for parts of the last 40 years. As native Massachusettsians, we decided to move back here in 2015 for our retirement. Our motivation to move back was driven by the quality of health care available.
Having raised two sons, I was involved in their activities early on as a coach of tee-ball. Trying to get six- and seven-year-olds to focus on the game and not the dandelions growing around their feet was a challenge! I continued my involvement with kids in Bermuda by volunteering to coach baseball for 13- to 16-year-olds. Coaching baseball in a community where the dominant sports were soccer and cricket was challenging and extremely rewarding. Most of the kids were Bermudian and interacting with them and their parents opened up a broader community than I would otherwise have experienced.
What are your interests and favorite hobbies?
My hobbies involve playing golf a few times a week when the weather cooperates. As a child of the late–60’s and early 70’s music era, I enjoy attending concerts a few times annually. The Hanover Theater in Worcester is an especially good venue for concerts. Additionally, I enjoy hunkering down with a good book, alternating between fiction and non-fiction. I sit on the finance committee of my golf club (Marlborough Country Club) and the homeowners association. Each has their respective challenges as to income and expenses, but I enjoy the work and the interaction with committee members. I am finding fulfillment in my volunteer work as a CASA for a young man who has been involved with DCF for roughly nine years, half his life. My prior experience with teenagers his age has helped inform my interactions and discussions with him.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our community?
A great big thank you to all of the CASA volunteers who make a difference in the lives of youth in our community. Some of the older kids just need someone to listen; sharing our time and lending an ear helps. I hope to be able to continue this volunteer work for the next few years.
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