CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Holly Kunze
“It only takes one person to plant the seed of hope.”
The Porter County CASA program is happy to have welcomed Holly as one of our volunteers in May of 2022. Holly was introduced to CASA by a dear friend of hers who thought she would be a good fit, and her friend was correct! Holly grew up in a home where her mother fostered children and ended up adopting one of those children. Holly says, “These were very different and difficult times in the 1960’s and 70’s. There wasn’t much support, regulation, or resources for families. I felt compelled by the idea of being able to use my personal experience and passion for people to make a valuable impact on a child and their family as a CASA. In my experience, parents often want to do what is best for their children; they just lack the resources, family support, education, or the valuable resources to put their intentions into action.”
One of Holly’s favorite things about being a CASA is being able to be strong and confident for the child for whom she advocates. She has watched the child grow and develop as well as heal, and she has established a close relationship with that child and her family. She enjoys giving back to her community and working with people at CASA, FYSB, and other community providers.
When she isn’t advocating for her child, Holly works in the real estate industry as a title insurance professional for Community Title in Valparaiso. She also works with her cousin as a personal lines insurance agent at Walter Cook Insurance. She is on the board of directors for the Don Quijote scholarship fund: the purpose of that fund is to send Porter County students on full or partial scholarships to Spanish speaking countries to immerse themselves in life-changing travel, education, language, and culture.
Holly’s life’s greatest joy is being a mother to her two adult children. She lives in Valparaiso with her cat, Minnie, who was rescued by her son when he lived in New York City. In her spare time, she loves spending time in nature with her son who now lives in Washington. They enjoy exploring, canoeing, camping, cooking and hiking. Holly’s daughter lives in Valparaiso with her partner, and together, Holly and her daughter enjoy thrifting, cooking, playing games, going to the theater, the symphony, the movies and drinking coffee. In the summer months, she relishes in boating and swimming with her friends and family on Flint Lake. She also enjoys going to concerts, photography, practicing yoga, hiking at the Dunes, listening to podcasts, and reading. She finds great peace and relaxation working on creative projects in her home and in her yard. In recent years, Holly has found deep joy and a passion for officiating weddings for her closest family and friends.
Holly says she has been exceptionally inspired by the CASA staff and the other volunteers she has met along the way. Because of that, she is thrilled to be a part of the CASA community. It is the most difficult yet most deeply rewarding volunteer experience of her lifetime. She says, “I learn something new from every single person I have interacted with: it has been an absolutely life changing journey.” We are grateful to have dedicated volunteers like Holly who continue to give their time, energy, and love to the children who need them the most.
