Profile

 Tom and Betty Casey of Lake Hills, California, have built a family legacy with Jesuit Volunteer Corps. As dedicated financial contributors, they have found inspiration in their children, Daniel (Oakland '94, Santa Rosa '95) and Michael Casey (Atlanta '99, '00). Daniel served in Oakland as a science and math teacher, then in Santa Rosa working in community organizing and health education. Michael spent his time as a JV first working with the homeless, then with inmates of the Georgia prison system.

Both of their daughters-in-law are also FJVs. Daniel met his wife, Sarah Evers Casey (Santa Rosa '95) as she worked as a community organizer in a homeless shelter. Michael's wife, Amy Vosburg-Casey (Marshall Islands '95), taught for two years. Tom served on the board of directors of JVC Southwest for nine years, and he and Betty continue to be strong supporters of JVC. We talked with them about the role that JVC has played in their family's lives.

Q: How did you feel when you found out Daniel was going to be a Jesuit Volunteer?

Betty: We thought it was going to be great! We had quite a few friends who also had children who did JVC, so we were familiar with the organization. Daniel was not sure what he wanted to do after school, so this was a way for him to do service and think about what to do for the rest of his life.

Q: Do you think Daniel influenced Michael?

[Betty and Tom laugh]

Betty: Michael is really his own man. He pursued JVC in the South all on his own.
Tom: It was a big mistake sending him to the South. We never got him back!

Q: Why did you originally decide and continue to provide support to JVC?

Tom: Shortly after Daniel started in Oakland, I joined the board of directors for JVC Southwest. We had a college friend who was also on the board, so I jumped at the opportunity to get involved. I served on the board for nine years, and that really got us involved more than just as parents. We liked the philosophy and values of the program. We saw it as a great opportunity for the boys to do something really significant out of college when they weren't sure what to do.

Q: What advice do you have for parents whose child is currently serving in JVC?

Betty: Encourage them! It is a terrific opportunity and a safe environment for these young women and men to strike out on their own. If parents got involved in the workings of JV C, they would better understand what their kids are doing and appreciate it.

Q: What impact do you think JVC has on your children?

Betty: They all espouse the values. They live simply so others can simply live. We are both so proud of JVC as an organization—and of our two sons and two daughters-in-law for their commitment to the JVC ideals.