A Passion for Kids in Need of Care
My experience as a foster and adoptive parent led me to be a CASA volunteer. My family was not fortunate enough to have a CASA volunteer for any of the children we fostered, but we quickly learned how complicated and confusing the foster care system and the court system are. In our fostering experience, there were many people involved in both systems that were doing good and important work, advocating for the needs of the many people involved with each child in care (biological parents, foster parents, lawyers, etc.). However, there was no one dedicated to advocating just for the best interests of the child. This was discouraging as a foster parent and was likely discouraging to the biological parents as well. After we closed our home to fostering, I learned about CASA and decided this was the perfect way for me to stay connected to this passion of mine, kids in need of care.
There have been a lot of highs and lows throughout the CASA cases I have been a volunteer for the past 5 years. There have been failed attempts of reunification, difficult behaviors brought on by past trauma, disrupted placements, the death of a kinship placement and a biological sibling, constant turnover of agency workers, and lies and manipulation by caregivers of all types.
I have also had the privilege of being there for the joy of visits with biological parents and watching new and rekindled relationships between children and foster families. I have had the opportunity to make children feel seen and special and the ability to dig deep into what a child needs and finding creative ways to meet those needs. I have seen exceptional communication and teamwork between myself and the children’s caregivers, agency workers, teachers, medical professionals, lawyers, and judges. It has been a huge privilege to get to truly know a child at one of the most vulnerable times in their life and work to make a difference in both very small and very big ways.
One highlight from this past year was taking a foster youth to learn about the welding program at Washburn Tech. This young man had been struggling in school with attendance, grades, and motivation. He had turned down many opportunities for alternative high school programs that were offered to him. To my surprise, he took me up on my offer to take him to check out the welding program. He was interested and engaged throughout our tour. His attitude towards his high school attendance, commitment to passing his classes, and general outlook for his future shifted after this visit. He is completing his senior year of high school this year and I expect to see him enrolled in Washburn Tech next year! However, if that doesn’t happen, I will still be by his side supporting him in whatever is next for his future.