We were lucky to catch up with Connie Ricketts recently and have shared our conversation below.
Connie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from the many supportive relationships I have in my life starting with my husband, Dennis, of 39 years. My 3 children adopted through foster care encourage me every day to continue my fight for children experiencing foster care because they know their life outcomes will be better. My life journey has prepared me for this important work and I find peace in knowing I am making a significant contribution to children who by no fault of their own find themselves in a journey through the child protection system.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the Chief Executive Officer of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Galveston County. This is a national network of volunteers appointed by child protection courts to serve as the voice of best interest for children experiencing foster care. It was during the time as a foster parent that I learned about Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Two of our adopted children had a CASA volunteer looking out for their best interest. Their role intrigued me because they had such a special role to play in the child’s life that was so different than being a foster parent.
In 1998, I became a CASA volunteer so that I could be that voice for children in the court room. This role required a similar journey to foster parenting. There was an application, interview, references, and professional training, and court swearing in to be available for assignment by the CASA program. This CASA journey has spanned more than 2 decades and countless ways to give back to children in our communities who deserve the opportunity to be safe and protected. I have served as a volunteer, local board member, development director, program director, state board member, national leadership council member, and local program executive director. My current role as CEO of CASA of Galveston County has been one of the most rewarding times of my life!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
People skills, kindness, passionate, and being a good listener are all qualities that have been important to me as I I embarked on this very critical role. I believe that God placed me in different situations to prepare me for this specialized brand of advocacy that I have grown to feel so connected to that I live and breathe it. I believe that you must have a passion for any career or work that you do in any sector that you work in. Find it and embrace it!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I have had many mentors in my life to provide the essential guidance to overcome challenges and to build the skills necessary to be successful. I gain support and confidence from a wide variety of personal and professional connections. These supports provide positive energy while giving me the confidence to be my true self and lead with professionalism and setting an example for others to follow. There is also personal motivation to overcome challenges and to keep moving forward!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.casagalveston.org
- Linkedin: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/connie-ricketts-63ab83101
Image Credits
Connie Ricketts has the image credits.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
