June is Pride Month, and we are proud to celebrate alongside our LGBTQ+ colleagues, volunteers and community friends. Diversity & Inclusion is, and always will be valued at KIDS MATTER—and promoting diverse voices and perspectives is key to serving all youth and families who need our help. We are grateful for CASA Volunteers like Shannon, who bring lived experiences and true empathy to the role.
“Struggling with mental health and acceptance is a recipe for self-destruction,” said Shannon, a former foster youth, who came out to a friend at the age of 13. “I am hoping to be that someone they can finally identify with. Similarities and understanding go a long way and I hope to be that someone who can make a difference.”
Like Shannon, many foster youth endure a revolving door of adults in their life, making it hard to talk about tough issues in the absence of trust. As a CASA Volunteer, Shannon hopes to provide a consistent presence and a safe space for teens to express their feelings.
“Back then, I trusted no one-- everyone had betrayed my trust. It would have been nice to have an adult outside of the systematic setting who was accepting of me at a time when I was feeling a lot of self-doubt,” she said. “There’s a stigma and feeling like you don’t fit in that puts you at risk. I hope to able to help them to not be so hard on themselves and to be more comfortable with the walk. I want to be able to cushion the struggle a little bit. I want them to know that they are not alone.”
