RESERVE — When Stacy Ashmore was asked which Child Advocacy Services Advocate should be recognized for hard work and dedication, she automatically thought of Brian Shinault.

“Brian is a great person,” she said. “He always, always goes to see his kids. As a CASA volunteer, he is supposed to go see his CASA child once a month. Brian goes out of his way to see his CASA child. Whether it’s seeing the child at school or summer camp, it doesn’t matter because Brian is there.”

Ashmore is Shinault’s supervisor. She said it is always good to have male volunteers working with CASA because they give young boys in troubled situations someone to look up to.

Shinault, like all CASA volunteers, advocates for his CASA child in the courtroom and advocates for permanency. The children he advocates for are in foster care.

Permanency could mean being reunited with their families or adoption.

Shinault, a businessman and paralegal in New Orleans, has helped children throughout the River Parishes.

Shinault receives instructions and assignments from CASA’s Reserve office.

Those interested in learning more about the program can call 225-647-2005. A training day is planned July 11.

“I have an interest in helping others, particularly those who are in need, the underprivileged and children,” Shinault said. “I also have an interest in the legal system. Once I heard about the Child Advocacy Services, I thought it was a place that I could offer some assistance to and be an asset to.”

Shinault became an advocate in 2010.

As an advocate, he said he is the eyes and ears of the child.

“I try to visit the school and the residence to see both worlds,” Shinault said. “I see what the child needs, make a report and act on the child’s behalf.”

Volunteers normally work with a child for a year but up until recently Shinault was the exception.

“I was assigned one child until approximately last October,” Shinault said. “I was with child until he aged out at 18. I advocated for him for many years. It was great. We had a lot of time to bond. It was like he had become my child.”

Even though his last child aged out, Shinault stills stays in contact with the boy.

“We’re friends; we got to know each other real well,” Shinault said. “He was always happy to see me. That was a good feeling for me, too. Whether it’s lending an ear or helping him with resources, I’m going to be there for him.”

The bond Shinault forms with his CASA children is very important to him, he said, adding he wants the child to feel comfortable telling him anything.

“Once we bond, I think it gives the child a sense of security that there is someone out there for them,” Shinault said. “I want the child to know that I am there for them.”

According to Shinault, he has worked with his new CASA child for approximately seven months.

“We talk about football, and actually he teaches me a lot when he talks,” Shinault said. “I don’t keep up with football too much, so I have to educate myself before our visits. He was positive from the beginning and now I think it’s much more comfortable. He knows what to expect and the comfort level just grows.”