We are proud to highlight Nicole Sandridge, who has been an advocate with Goochland/Powhatan CASA since 2020. She has assisted 4 families total in our program. One of her favorite CASA memories is when visiting a family that had multiple children, a little girl whom she just met jumped into her arms and gave her the biggest hug. She then brought Nicole to her room to show her lights they just hung around before she had gotten there. The bed was made and toys neatly put to the side, she was so proud of how the room makeover turned out. She then invited Nicole to color and they sat down to color together. Knowing the history of this family and neglect, the room makeover was a very big deal, even if it was just for her visit, she knows that little girl was very happy in that moment.
Nicole’s day job is a Data Analyst in Talent Acquisition/VMS Technology. In her spare time, Nicole likes to spend time with her husband and daughter, friends and family. She likes photography, baking, and traveling. A fun fact about herself is that if she starts to laugh, it’s pretty infectious. Most people end up laughing as well. It’s her secret superpower.
Nicole’s advise for anyone considering a CASA volunteer role is the following: “Being a CASA volunteer will open your eyes to the community you live in. It will open your heart to want to see change. It will fulfill a hole that you didn’t realize was in your soul when you meet and get to know these children and families. You will seek justice and have the ability to voice your recommendations directly to the judge. Time is not wasted with your cases, if you have the heart for people you will not regret being a volunteer.”