1. What made you decide to become a CASA?
We want to be foster parents. We also desired to find a way to serve in our community that makes a true difference in someone else's life, even when we knew it would be challenging and that it would demand sacrifice. We also don't want to perpetuate a culture that says it cares and wants to make a difference, but never does. We believed it was time to take action.
2. What is your professional/ volunteer background?
Luke's profession is a graphic designer and Kati works in legal immigration services for a local non-profit. We both have experience volunteering in the children's care for our church, and have lots of nieces and nephews that love to play games with us!
3. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a CASA?
It's definitely challenging, but it opens your eyes to a world beyond your own. It's rewarding to see before your eyes changes unfold, whether in a child or biological parent, and know that you played a very small part in that happening. It's extremely humbling to think that after a case closes, a child will move on and hopefully develop into a healthy adult, and may not remember you, but that you were still a part of their story. People should know that they won't always know what to do or may make mistakes, but the most important thing is consistency and just showing up for the child.
4. What has been the most challenging part of being a CASA?
Getting out of your comfort zone by learning a whole new world of child welfare. Going to a visit and seeing the kids have a really rough time, hurting and having a hard day, and knowing that even when we try to do everything perfectly, it's all out of our control.
5. What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?
Seeing the kids open up and watching a kid get comfortable enough in a placement where they feel like they can act like kids - they aren't worried about parenting other kids. Hearing about a child who has (finally!) opened up to their therapist! Seeing a bio parent connect with their child in a healthy and positive way. Being a part of the bigger picture of child advocacy.
6. Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case?
When a new CPS caseworker or observer arrive, it's a sweet and satisfying moment to be able to be the person who knows your child, what triggers them, what brings them joy, how they decompress and find relief, and being able to share that information with the new service worker.
A specific moment - when we took canvases to the kids to paint them for the CASA art auction event, it was one of the best visits to see them outside, painting, and laughing, all having a good time. It's always beautiful to see them free.
There was a moment when a child acted out, spit at me, and hit me which was really difficult during his visit. But thanks to my training, I was able to respond in a compassionate way, de-escalating the situation in a calm but firm manner. After the visit, the child was able to see and realize that I would not treat him like the other adults in his life, and he started to warm up to me and trust me as a safe person.
7. Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself or the CASA experience?
CASA is something that even if someone doesn't believe child welfare service is not for them, everyone should be a CASA advocate for at least one case. It's a great opportunity to learn how to treat their own children, look for signs of abuse, and even acquire tips on how to healthily engage with unhealthy behavior. People need to see firsthand that these kids, many of whom statistics say will grow up to be a burden on society, deserve to be just kids. People need to see that these kids and even their parents are not choosing to be from difficult or hard places, but that people are so much more complex than that.
8. Why did you decide to work a case together and how has it helped make it successful?
We decided to work together to prepare us one day to become foster parents. Working on a case together has helped when one of us can't make a visit due to work, so the other one can do it. It's also helpful with processing after a visit. We are able to talk to each other what we saw and share the hard moments. Since we have the same case, we know the full details which allows us to look for different things at visits and see twice as much.
CAS, Kennedy Morrison said, Kaitlyn and Luke are amazing advocates. They work together to make sure that the needs of their CASA kids are being met, and never miss a visit or court hearing. They build off of each other's strengths and collaborate wonderfully to make sure that the best interests of their CASA kids are always front and center. They build strong relationships with the other parties on their case, and always get their notes in on time. Their first case has been complicated, with many unexpected twists and turns. They have always kept the best interest and well-being of the kids at the forefront, and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. They are engaged and enthusiastic about advocacy, and exemplify exactly what CASA is about!