When Tom Perille retired from practicing medicine, he found himself running a daycare.

This daycare was not open to the public, but rather, was a space created by Tom to care for and to nurture the development of his grandchildren.

“I don’t know how many people would enjoy this type of thing,” said Tom, “But I have loved it.”

When Tom’s daughter had a baby and began planning for her maternity leave, she realized that she would have to enroll her baby in a daycare facility at three months old. Tom’s understanding of brain development prompted him to step in.

It was an easy decision for Tom to fly out to Virgina, rent an Airbnb for three and a half months, and provide daily care for his grandson.

“When I was doing daycare by myself in Virgina, I had a whole routine,” explained Tom. “I planned activities to develop fine and gross motor skills, I took him on nature walks, I read him books, and I would put on puppet shows – even though he was only three months old.”

It would have continued to be an easy decision for Tom to create these experiences solely within his own family, further encouraging their growth and futures. However, Tom is not one to take the easy road, and he has always been dedicated to helping others.

After Tom discovered CASA, he realized that he could extend similar opportunities to children whose circumstances were different than his own.

“CASA turned out to be a very good fit,” said Tom. “Despite their adversity, these kids have so much to give and to learn from. It has been much better than I ever anticipated.”

When Tom met his assigned CASA youth, he realized that the child had never been to museums, the mountains, or to state parks. Tom noticed that he had taken these opportunities for children for granted.

“My goal is to introduce my assigned CASA child to what is possible,” said Tom. “There is no place that he cannot be or go.”

With this notion, Tom began introducing his assigned CASA youth to nature, to educational experiences outside of the traditional school setting, and to the idea that the future is his to create. Tom quickly noticed the child’s incredible devotion to animals and recognized that he had a scientific mind to complement this interest as well.

“The most beautiful thing is helping my assigned CASA child see a connection between work, school, his interest in animals, and exploring potential careers,” explained Tom. “I hear from other people that he says he is going to be a vet. It demonstrates that he has goals. This is a breakthrough for him. I don’t think he had a sense of future or career or anything before.”

Tom plans to be in this child’s life for as long as the child wants. The same level of dedication and energy that Tom pours into the growth of his own family, he pours into the growth of this CASA youth. He recognizes that all children have potential for greatness.

“If you can amplify a child’s inner beauty through your advocacy – that is worth every minute,” said Tom. “I am glad that CASA exists.”