1. What made you decide to become a CASA?
I was very proud of my adult children for their involvement in local and national politics. I felt that I should be more involved too. But then I heard an ad on TV for becoming a CASA and decided that it would suit me better as a way to make a contribution.
2. What is your professional/ volunteer background?
I worked as a biomedical researcher at UCLA for many years before moving to Texas for my husband’s work. I have been delivering Meals on Wheels for 16 years.
3. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
If someone is thinking about being a CASA, stop thinking about it and go. And find some good audio books or podcasts to listen to in the car. Sometimes there is a lot of driving.
4. What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
One of the most challenging parts of my CASA experience was the failed adoption of one of my teenaged girls. It was completely unexpected and caused the child an unimaginable amount of trauma, on top of all the trauma she had already experienced in her short life. But by far the most challenging part was when this girl left care.
5. What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
I have my fingers crossed that the most rewarding part of being a CASA will happen early next year, when one of my kids will be officially adopted.
6. Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your
case?
The best moments of my CASA work came with the teen I mentioned whose adoption failed. There were a lot of ups and downs. At times, she was very angry and asked the caseworker, referring to me, “What is SHE doing here?” But when mine was the only familiar face at the psychiatric hospitals she was admitted to, she told me she was so grateful that I was there.
From CAS, Tracy Williams, "Kathleen is the personification of CASA. She will go above and beyond to make sure the children she works with are supported at all times. If a child is having a hard time in a home during a nationally recognized holiday, Kathleen will see that child that day to provide them the comfort they need. She exudes compassion that is immeasurable and is always a joy to work with. Kathleen deserves this honor because of her passion for helping children. No matter how many times a child tells her "no" in their anger, that child soon smiles because they know that Kathleen will always be there for them no matter what with a smile."