Meet Christine, VOICES’ Marketing & Fund Development Manager.
Name: Christine Slomski
Current city of residence: Scottsdale
What is your role at Voices for CASA Children?
I am the Marketing & Fund Development Manager. I’m involved in several aspects of VOICES: Recruitment/Outreach, Marketing/Media Relations, and Fundraising. Mainly, my role is heavily centered on establishing and strengthening the VOICES presence throughout the Valley, and creating broader awareness of the CASA mission. I don’t do it alone, though — there’s a strong, skillful team that works beside me!
How long have you been with the organization?
3 years.
What brought you to work in the child welfare field?
It found me! When I lived in Colorado, I fell into a role at a nonprofit that supports leadership programming for female youth. I was “wowed” by the potential in youth when given tools, support, and opportunities. After moving to Arizona, well, let’s say that VOICES just found me 🙂 I started as a volunteer.
What’s your “Why” in “Why CASA”?
As said, I find it necessary to surround our youth with education, opportunities, a growing toolbox, and support from “the Village”. When these things are in place, children thrive, and in turn our neighborhoods and communities thrive. Translsating this into “Why CASA?”, I believe that a vulnerable child living in foster care can have the course of his or her life change just by having one caring, dependable person — a CASA volunteer.
What’s the best part of your job? Why?
I love strategy and I love creativity! I love creating the annual blueprint for VOICES and then coming up with creative ways to fill in the details. I especially love doing social media and working with media and news stations as part of our public relations initiatives. When on camera, there’s nothing like feeling like your life is flashing before your eyes with a rush of adrenaline when the cameras and lights are on you! This all takes place in a steady, 3-minute interview, but it feels like a blink of an eye!
Dogs or cats? Coffee or Tea? Mountains or Beach?
Dogs! I had them as a kid and I am now a Mama to a bundle of fur-joy named Anna. Coffee in the morning, tea in the evening. Mountains – preferably in Colorado or Montana.
In what cities have you lived? Which one do you consider “home”?
I’ve lived in a few different places, but call Phoenix, Spokane, and especially Denver ‘home’. I’ve experienced major milestones of my life in each city.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Let life unfold. Everything is working out as it should.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” or “Modern Love” on Amazon Prime 🙂 And, a glass of (good) wine with friends on patios.
Who inspires you?
My late grandmother, who taught me so much about life. She was the first female college professor in the East Valley in the 1960’s, forging the way for women’s education. She helped a lot of people find their way.
