In move back to Sioux Falls, volunteer finds impactful way to give back to community

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Falls CASA.

Ann Fiorita had only moved back to Sioux Falls for a matter of months and already was looking for an impactful way to give back.

“Earlier in my career, I traveled quite a bit and was never really able to make a meaningful volunteer contribution based on my travel commitments with my job,” she said.

“And coming back to Sioux Falls, I know giving back is the heartbeat of this city and how important it is to everybody here. It’s just part of our DNA in Sioux Falls, and I had that in me from growing up here.”

Fiorita, formerly Ann Weisbecker, grew up attending Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools and graduated from the University of Sioux Falls.

After moving back to town, a friend suggested that she consider Sioux Falls CASA – becoming a volunteer court-appointed special advocate and helping serve as eyes and ears for the court as a judge determines what living situation is in a child’s best interest.

“I knew there was such a high level of respect for CASA in the community, but I also remember distinctly being really scared when I heard about it,” said Fiorita, who works in the financial services industry.

“I don’t have a psychology degree. I don’t have a background in social work. Am I prepared to handle this?”

That was in 2021. But Fiorita decided to take the first step toward exploring the opportunity to volunteer through CASA, “and I’m so glad I did,” she said.

“Stacey, the CEO, is so incredible and such a strong voice for these kids and just full of joy. When you meet the team and go through training, you’ll find they’re all so warm and caring and smart and funny. I think you have to be able to bring lightness and joy to these cases that can be really, really hard.”

As a volunteer, Fiorita found the training, which spans 30 hours over four days, to be the most time-intensive part of the process.

“That can be a hurdle, committing to the training, but if you can do that, the time commitment after that is more flexible,” she said. “As long as you’re there for the kids at least twice a month and spend a couple hours here and there – sometimes as short as 15 minutes – you can get a lot of efficiencies in place.”

Once volunteers are sworn in by the court, they can select a case to support.

“I feel like I’m pretty tough and have seen a thing or two, but it can still be heartbreaking to read these cases – the situations the kids have been in and why they’re removed from their families,” Fiorita said. “You can choose if your case involves one child or multiple and what ages you work with.”

Volunteers spend at least 10 hours on the case per month, which can include emailing and working on the court report, plus keep in regular contact with the children involved and often with foster families and other important people in their lives.

“I visit each of them once at home, whether that’s a foster home or if they’re in trial reunification, and then I try to make the second visit at school or day care so it’s a different environment,” Fiorita said.

Volunteers work with an advocate supervisor at CASA to file updates and ultimately make a recommendation to the judge determining the best permanent placement for the children.

“For me, the volunteer work checks a lot of boxes,” Fiorita said. “I enjoy writing and connecting with kids, and when I think about literally the most vulnerable in our community, that’s who this is. So if I can contribute in a meaningful way, that’s what connected for me. I’m not a social worker, but I feel like I can write a letter to a judge and put together a case that is supporting what’s in their best interest.”

She also has formed strong connections with multiple families.

“I remember when I started not knowing what value I was adding. The Child Protection Services family services specialist was very involved and doing a lot, and the foster family had a good routine. But then the CPS FSS left. They ended up having three FSS workers and living four different places, and then I saw it — I was the common thread who could bring everyone up to speed. We become the stable constant,” she said.

“I always think about them when the case is over. I still have their birthdays saved in my calendar, but I always want them to go on and live their life and know I’ll always care about them. And I have a lot of empathy for the parents involved, especially the ones who are really trying, and it’s such a struggle. Our goal is always reunification as long as Mom and Dad are healthy, but even the kids know it’s not going to be safe for them if that’s not the case.”

Ann Fiorita and her case manager, Marcia King

Volunteers like Fiorita are priceless, Sioux Falls CASA CEO Stacey Tieszen said.

“We’re so grateful for people like Ann who find time in their lives to help these deserving kids,” she said. “Often, our volunteers are retired and looking to give back, and that can be a great fit, but Ann shows that a busy professional and mom is able to offer this kind of volunteer service too. Her perspective and connection with the kids are invaluable.”

Training for new CASA volunteers will be Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 6-7.

“I am willing to talk to anyone about this opportunity, and it’s the same with the CASA team,” Fiorita said. “I know it feels like a big commitment, but I would say just take baby steps. Have a conversation about it, do the training, and you don’t have to commit all at once, or you can take a break between cases. But just take the first few steps.”

Now that she has a system in place for managing a case, “it just becomes part of my life,” she added. “I’m very lucky to have a supportive employer, but I think that’s the case with a lot of businesses in Sioux Falls. I think about how much time is spent on social media and then realize I can give some of that time to volunteering, and a lot can be done through email. It is very, very, very needed and such a worthwhile way to give back to your community.”

To learn more about volunteering with Sioux Falls CASA, start online here, or email [email protected] for information.