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What made you decide to become a CASA? My boys were a little older and I was a social worker before mom. I was looking for a way to get involved helping kids in some way. I have always believed everyone needs to find their voice to be able to speak up for the themselves and especially true for kids. A friend told me about CASA and thought it would be a good fit. And it was! That was in October 2011.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? There are a couple of things. When the parents decide to help themselves and really utilize the services and they become a stronger/better parent and the family becomes stronger as a whole and those kids can go back to a better place. Also, when you find a surprise relative and the kids find they have a whole family circle they can now depend on… and even live with.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. My little girl is a big worrier. So, when I went to visit her at the foster home I brought a tiny worry doll with me. At the end of the visit, I explained that she should tell that little doll what she was worried about before she goes to bed and let that little doll worry for her. I saw her the next week and she ran up to me and the OCOK visit and whispered that she has been telling her little doll what she is sad about and that little doll has been worrying for her!! She said she didn’t have to have all her worries anymore.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? Definitely just to get down on their level and in their world for a little bit and either play or just chat with them. Just try to make that connection. Give them someone that they can trust or just play with for a little bit without having to answer a lot of questions.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? I think anytime is so chaotic for these kids that it doesn’t matter what is happening in the outside world these kids ALWAYS need a CASA. But during these times, I think it has been very helpful for these kids to have an extra set of “CASA eyes” on them. Especially with the extra challenges of dealing with school and other obstacles that have surfaced through this time.