Rob McDonald: Helping Teens Reach New Heights
Rob McDonald isn’t one to run from a challenge.
The retired business owner has seen his start-ups acquired by national organizations and has climbed the highest mountain on each continent, including Mt. Everest which he summited in May of 2012.
He’s certainly no stranger to overcoming obstacles to reach new heights. Perhaps that’s why he’s such a good mentor as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) assigned to cases with adolescent boys.
As a CASA for boys who are growing up in the foster care system, Rob not only advocates and speaks up for them in court; he uses his life experiences to show them how they too can overcome obstacles and reach the summit of their own personal mountains.
Rob felt connected to the mission of CASA following the loss of his own son at the age of 12.
“His name was Mikey and after years of grieving our loss, my wife and I were drawn to organizations serving children,” he said. “We could never understand the abuse and neglect of any child and we wanted to participate to make a difference in our community.”
His first involvement was as a member of the Board of Directors which he was asked to join due to this successful background in business.
“I found myself wanting to be a bigger part of CASA and I went through the training to become an advocate…” he said. “I hope that I’ve made a difference… that my influences will make a difference in the lives of kids.”
Currently, Rob is on his fourth CASA case and is working with a teenage boy.
In addition to his work as an advocate for children, Rob and his wife continue to trek in Nepal and involve themselves with support work projects there. He’s also re-joining the CASA board for a second tenure this summer and looks forward to sharing his experiences as an advocate.
CASA is in need of more men to serve as advocates for boys of all ages who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. If YOU are interested in standing up for a young man and serving as a positive role model, please contact us at 719-477-9898 to learn more.