“Growing up, there were always kids in my house. My mom comes from a large, blended family, and as a stay-at-home mom, she was often filling in for other moms when they needed some help. My mom was also the person who helped me understand my aunt and uncle’s foster son’s background and the hardships of abuse.
I knew I wanted to work with children in some capacity, so I eventually landed on child development and family studies in college. I was exploring careers related to my major and ‘adoption’ jumped out. It reminded me of my aunt and uncle’s fostering journey.
When I started working as a foster care caseworker, I realized how sheltered my life had been. My eyes were opened to different ways of life, and I couldn’t be more grateful or more inspired. I remember working with a mom who decided to adopt two little boys as a single person in her forties. It made me feel like anything was possible.
Life took some turns and when my husband and I relocated for him to join a family business, I took a short career detour. That’s when my supervisor at a previous job, who now worked for Voce, told me about an opening as a child welfare paralegal. I couldn’t have landed in a more perfect position for me.
Working on the legal side, it’s been nice to see how all the pieces connect. Now I’m able to see how my prior role as a caseworker supports the legal process. There’s less child and family interaction, but it’s surprising how connected I feel to a child and their story, especially working on their case from the time they come into care all the way through the court system.
The thing that I appreciate most about working for Voce is the people. I really lucked out. I love working with my county’s paralegal team and the paralegals in the neighboring counties. I enjoy learning from the different viewpoints shared, networking and the training provided.
Outside of work, I’m consumed by my kids, and family time is most important to me. When I get a chance, I like to read and root for the Steelers, of course!”
- Kim, Paralegal
We Are Voce is a series featuring the unique voices of Voce staff, highlighting the experiences, perspectives, and passions of the people who make a difference every day. This series celebrates the people and stories that bring our mission to life.
