Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Name: Amy Paiva
Agency:  CASA
Years with the Agency: 6 1/2
Years in Non-Profit Work:  6 12
Hometown:  Brownfield, Texas
College: Lubbock Christian University
Major(s):  Management
Past Jobs Before Non-Profit Work: Amy served in Army –US Intelligence Division and with her family’s Insurance and Realty business.

Family: Amy and her husband have 3 sons

Pets:  The family pet is a white German shepherd named Maxine – “Max” for short.

What are the most important rewards in your career and why did you choose it? The job chose her!  Amy started as a volunteer at CASA to work with kids and help make their lives better and that volunteering evolved into a full time career, becoming Executive Director after just 2 years on staff.  Being part of a program that is her passion is the reward.

What are your interests outside of work? Amy enjoys attending her sons’ activities and proudly calls herself a “Sports Mom”.  She enjoys reading and recommended her most recent read - Three Little Words: A Memoir by Ashley Rhodes-Courter about her life in the foster care system.

What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction and why? Her children and a career she loves.  Amy’s favorite job is being a mom, but CASA is a close 2nd.

Who is your hero?  Amy’s husband is her hero.

What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
1) Volunteers
2) Kids they serve
3) and an awesome staff to work with

Where is your favorite place you have been on vacation and why? Amy’s favorite vacation was a cruise to Jamaica with her whole family.  Everyone enjoyed the food as well as spending time on the beach and in the water.  They were able to go snorkeling and swim with the dolphins.