October 22 is officially National Make a Difference Day!
Hear from CASA Staff Members on how YOU can make a difference in a child’s life:
“When a child enters foster care, their entire world is turned upside down. Oftentimes, it continues to rapidly change during the duration of their stay in care. Having a CASA volunteer can change that negative perspective for a child. While their family situation may or may not improve enough for them to return home, or their caseworkers may continually turn over, a CASA volunteer provides a stable presence for them; through thick and thin. This is not something that can be measured on paper, but rather in what can be referred to as "their CASA moments."
“A CASA volunteer is there for the child every step of the way: every placement change, missed visit from the child’s guardian, caseworker change, court decision that does not result in permanency for their child. They are also there for their first steps, school events, holidays, and all the quiet moments of just being there with their kids. When a CASA volunteer is committed to being there for a child, it slowly builds a trust between them and that child and it teaches them that "not everyone will leave them" or abandon them. When a CASA volunteer is able to say they were there to comfort a child after a letdown from someone else or cheer them on at a band concert or sporting event, or help them fill out applications for a job, they can say that this is their "why." This consistency makes a dramatic difference in the life of a child for years to come.”
“When we see children reach out to contact to their CASA volunteer to tell them about exciting or upsetting news, the CASA volunteer knows they are teaching that child how to be in a positive relationship with another person - that they are worthy of someone's time and efforts. These moments usually do not come in quick succession, but rather slowly over time. Sometimes an advocate does not recognize that these little moments add up to a large, positive change they helped create for that child until someone else helps them see it. It's powerful when such positive progress happens for a child because you know that while that child may be someone who has learned not to trust the world around them, a seed is planted that maybe they can learn to trust one person at a time.”
The advocacy of a CASA Volunteer today makes a lifetime of change for a child’s future.